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.
Peter 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 pieces, which remain coveted collector’s items to this day.
Find vintage Kroehler Manufacturing Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
Vintage Leather Chairs By Murphy Miller For Kroehler Furniture
By Murphy Miller Inc., Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add authentic vintage charm to your space with these mid-century chairs by Murphy-Miller, a beautiful example of understated design and solid American craftsmanship. Known for their ...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Upholstered "High and Low'" Chairs by Avanti
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Avanti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of upholstered and walnut chairs. The pair features two different versions often called "His and Hers". But we call it "High and Low" referring to the high and low back of the ch...
Fabric, Walnut
1 Vintage Walnut Johnson Furniture Dining Chair
By Johnson Chair Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage dining chairs by Johnson Chair Co Chicago reminiscent of Jens Risom design with solid walnut wood frame construction. Johnson Chair Co is the...
PVC, Walnut
Vintage Walnut Slipper Chairs by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern walnut slipper chairs designed by Kroehler in the United States, circa 1960s. These chairs are not just a pair of chairs, but a statement piece that exudes eleganc...
Fabric, Walnut
$1,450 / set
H 40 in W 32.5 in D 24 in
Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Murphy Miller for Plycraft c 1950’s
By Murphy Miller Inc., Plycraft
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century lounge chair and ottoman designed by Murphy Miller for Plycraft, circa 1950’s. The swivel and tilt chair features bent plywood arms which are attached to the tufted vinyl upholstered seat and backrest. The not often seen ottoman features a fully tufted surface which is supported by the tapering tubular metal four leg base. This example is in good, original condition showing some signs of age and use, specifics to follow. The vinyl upholstery on the seat cushion of the chair has a small flaw, and the upholstery at the top of the side of the back shows minor scuffs. The chair is fully functional and usable as is, or you can have it reupholstered if you prefer a more polished look. In the style of the Mulhauser , and Eames plywood lounge chairs...
Metal
$6,339 / set
H 37.41 in W 30.32 in D 37.8 in
Pair of Koene Oberman, Mid-Century Modern, Wood High Back Lounge Chair, 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
High back lounge chairs by Koene Oberman, circa 1960. Originated in Denmark In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful pati...
Upholstery, Wood
Soft Pad Chair by Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
Soft Pad Chair by Eames for Herman Miller Length- 22 3/4 Depth- 23 Height at it's lowest- 32 Height at it's tallest- 34 Seat Height at its lowest- 20 Arm Height at its lowest- 25 Fo...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Kroehler Lounge Chair
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century armchair manufactured by Kroehler, circa 1960s. Very much in the style of Adrian Pearsall. Sitting atop a sculpted walnut wooden base that gives the chair its Pearsall...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
$3,900 / set
H 32 in W 36 in D 30 in
Mid Century Post Modern Lounge Chairs by Donghia for Kroehler After Parsons
By Donghia, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome matching pair of armchairs designed by Donghia for Koehler. These feature their original grey flanel upholstery and ready for use. Manufacture labels
Fabric
$4,800 / item
H 34 in W 24 in D 25 in
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Tandem Aluminum Lounge Chairs in Edelman Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible pair of restored and reimagined Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1962 Collection, Tandem modular seating that was originally designed for Chicago O'Hare Airport, w...
Aluminum
Eames Time Life Chair in Grey Leather for Herman Miller, 1980s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Eames Time Life chair for Herman Miller in light grey leather with a polished aluminum frame and legs made in Los Angeles, CA. Originally designed in 1960 by Charles and Ray Eames for use in the lobby of the Time Life building in New York. Recently re-upholstered in gray leather, in-keeping with the color and integrity of other Time-life models. Some slight blemishes to the aluminum frame in-keeping with age. Chair's height and recline is fully adjustable and also swivels 360 degrees. Timeless chair. In 1972, the Time-life chair made the news when notoriously fussy chess genius Bobby Fischer included this chair among his many demands for his legendary 1972 world championship match with Russian master...
Aluminum
$3,350 / set
H 30 in W 20 in D 16 in
Vintage MCM Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic set of vintage 4 MCM dining chairs. Designed by the legendary Paul McCobb, a Midcentury giant. Gorgeous spindle back with the coveted inlay screw on each seat. Acquired fro...
Wood
1970 Verner Panton chairs for Herman Miller
By Verner Panton
Located in London, Lambeth
This Panton chair was manufactured by Verner Panton for Herman Miller in 1971 and is made of S-shaped plastic. Panton designed the first ever chair consisting of a single element, fo...
Plastic
Midcentury Kroehler Upholstered Lounge Chairs
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Well designed pair of sculptural armchairs by the Kroehler Co. Featuring blue fabric upholstery, solid American wood construction with comfortable deep seats. The sculptural legs rea...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair by Kroehler, c1960s
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Recently refinished in electric blue fabric and overall in excellent condition. Features the classic walnut wood legs with clean simple lines. Measures approximately 25w x 23d x 31t ...
Walnut
Set of 6 Vintage MCM Dining Chairs by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 6 vintage MCM dining chairs by Kroehler Approximate...
Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century His and Hers Lounge Chairs
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century His and Hers lounge chairs Each chair measures: 38 wide x 33 deep x 35.5 inches high, the height on hers is 31.5 inches, with a seat hei...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Kroehler Chairs and Matching Ottoman
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice pair of labelled Kroehler chairs with an ottoman. The chairs are likely a Gilbert Rohde design, as he did design for them. The ottoman is not mar...
Pair of 1950s Kroehler Oversized Lounge Chairs
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Very boxy and large Kroehler chairs in original fabric.
Peacock Velvet Mid-Century Modern Chair
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This fun and funky chair has been completely restored. Walnut has been sanded and stained and the chair has been upholstered in a buttery peacock colored ...
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage Slipper Chairs by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage slipper chairs by Kroehler.
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-Century Kroehler Lounge Chairs
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of 1960s high back lounge chairs by Kroehler Furniture Co. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Upholstery