Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Before growing into one of the largest furniture brands in the United States in the mid-20th century, the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. had humble beginnings. It was founded in 1902, when Peter E. Kroehler, a Chicago-based businessman who grew up on a farm in Minnesota, bought a small furniture manufacturer called Naperville Lounge Co., a maker of wooden lounge chairs and upholstered furniture, founded in 1893. He had first worked there as a clerk before rising to partner and then president and finally owner. Under Kroehler’s leadership, a new factory was built in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 1913, and soon after the company was renamed.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. became a fixture of the American furniture industry, eventually employing around 8,000 people in four plants in Illinois and Ohio, and by the 1940s was bringing in more than $20 million in annual sales. The company was a pioneer in innovative 20th-century furniture, patenting some of its designs, like the Unifold sofa bed with a removable mattress that was developed in 1909 and the sideways foldable Duofold sofa bed. Colorful ads in popular magazines such as Ladies Home Journal propelled these dual-purpose furnishings into customer favorites. Kroehler was also known for its hand-tufted Turkish couches as well as unique shapes for lounge-chair backs, such as batwings and scallops. In addition to seating and sofa beds, the company specialized in furniture for the entire home, from sturdy wooden cabinets to sleek mid-century modern credenzas.
Kroehler’s historic Naperville factory closed in 1978 due to financial struggles and was acquired by a Chicago investment firm that sold the plants as well as the rights to the Kroehler name. Its Naperville factory was converted into apartments in the 1980s, and decades later the company name is still visible on the building.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. is remembered for its long association with the Chicago area and its quality mid-century modern furniture pieces, which remain coveted collector’s items to this day.
Find vintage Kroehler Manufacturing Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Mission Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Faux Leather, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1960s Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
1970s American Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood, Bentwood
20th Century Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal, Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Mohair, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Chenille, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Birdseye Maple
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Velvet, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal
1950s American Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
Kroehler Mfg. Co. furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Kroehler Mfg. Co.
- What is Kroehler?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kroehler, which rhymes with tailor, is an American furniture manufacturing company known for its unique style and supreme comfort. It was founded in 1913, and the designs have stood the test of time. You can shop a collection of Kroehler furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How old is Kroehler Furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024As a company, Kroehler Furniture is more than 125 years old. Fred Long and John Kraushar founded the company as the Naperville Lounge Company in 1898, and in 1902, the name changed to the Kroehler Manufacturing Company. Kroehler continued to produce furniture until 1981. Explore a variety of Kroehler furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kroehler furniture was first started in 1902, when founder Peter E. Kroehler bought the Naperville Lounge Company. After the factory was destroyed by a tornado in 1913, he built a new factory and named it Kroehler Manufacturing Co. Shop a collection of Kroehler furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.