Tulip Bench
2010s Italian Benches
Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Art Nouveau Benches
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Benches
Steel
2010s British Minimalist Benches
Tulipwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Aluminum
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Painted Furniture
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Architectural Elements
Stone, Copper
People Also Browsed
Early 20th Century American Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Benches
Enamel, Iron
Early 20th Century Romantic Benches
Metal, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Patio and Garden Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Spanish Benches
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
Antique 19th Century French Architectural Elements
Stone, Limestone
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century American Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
2010s American Other Benches
Upholstery, Foam, Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
2010s Danish Modern Benches
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches
Steel, Chrome
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Benches
Late 20th Century Rustic Benches
Tulipwood
Vintage 1970s American Benches
Walnut, Fiberglass
Antique 18th Century English Benches
Oak
Antique 19th Century Unknown Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Hungarian Benches
Wood
Antique 1830s English William IV Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Romanian Benches
Pine, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Romanian Benches
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Benches
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century Hungarian Benches
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Country Benches
Oak, Pine
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Benches
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century Romanian Benches
Paint, Pine
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Benches
Leather
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Textile
Antique 1830s British Regency Stools
Mahogany, Fabric
20th Century French Neoclassical Stools
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century English Sofas
Oak, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
Antique 1880s Scandinavian Folk Art Benches
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Benches
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Metal
Antique 19th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Settees
Poplar
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Game Tables
Slate, Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Game Tables
Slate, Aluminum
Early 20th Century Italian Benches
Velvet, Tulipwood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Benches
Walnut
Antique 17th Century Dutch Baroque Benches
Antique Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Benches
Oak
Antique Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Cupboards
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.