Wegner Bar Bench
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Ash
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chestnut, Upholstery, Twine
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
2010s Swedish Side Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Benches
Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Stools
Metal
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Danish Benches
Ash
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cane, Oak
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments
Brass, Copper, Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Ash
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...
Rattan, Ash, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Ash
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.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair Still Feels Fresh, 70 Years after Its Debut
To celebrate the Wishbone’s 70th anniversary, Carl Hansen & Søn’s third-generation CEO, Knud Erik Hansen, shares some of the secrets behind the beloved chair.
113 Chairs That Prove Danish Design Isn’t Limited to Denmark
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.