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 1961 Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Kroehler, Chicago
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A rare and fully documented example of early 1960s American modernism, this Kroehler sofa carries an extraordinary provenance detail: the original purcha...
Upholstery
$4,995
H 28.5 in W 95 in D 31.75 in L 28.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Sofa After Harvey Probber, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking mid-century modern chrome sofa, inspired by the iconic designs of Harvey Probber and crafted in the United States during the 1960s, captures the perfect balance of refi...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Petite Sofa or Loveseat Attributed to Overman
By Overman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural looking sofa from the 1970s. It features original upholstery and chrome-plated steel legs.
Steel
$1,573Sale Price|50% Off
H 34.65 in W 57.88 in D 31.5 in
Mid-century Modern Italian Curved Small Sofa 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved sofa from the 1950s, Italian production. Original upholstery of the time, we recommend replacing the fabric.
Velvet, Beech
$2,961Sale Price|70% Off
H 50.5 in W 60 in D 28.75 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Moss Green High Wing Back Sofa or Settee
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, modern and intimate Scandinavian Danish love seat, settee, sofa or couch in the Mid-Century Modern style in moss green felt upholstery with a...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-Century Post Modern Loveseat or Sofa Produced by Preview Furniture
By Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural base with floating front sofa made by Preview circa 1992. It features the original tweed fabric in good condition. Could use cleaning before use.
Fabric
$37,240Sale Price|30% Off
H 25.2 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in
Mid-Century Modern "Cubo" Sofa by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This recently upholstered cubo (Cube) sofa was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in the 1970s. The elegance, a feature of Zalszupin designs, on this piece does not come from ...
Velvet, Wood
$6,400
H 28.5 in W 67.5 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Modern Banana Shaped Sofa, Beech & Wool, Denmark, 1940s
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round organic lines and iconic block feet nor...
Wool, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Italian Damask Velvet Corner Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Original Italian corner sofa from the 1950s, the upholstery is from the time, in damask velvet, in good condition but the intervention of the upholsterer is recommended.
Velvet, Beech
$4,198Sale Price|60% Off
H 28 in W 78 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Modern Saturno Sofa by Gastone Rinaldi, 1958, Italy
By Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Seattle, WA
Designed in 1958, the Saturno Sofa was one of the most iconic designs by Gastone Rinaldi, a prominent figure in Italian design alongside Gio Ponti, Ettore...
Steel
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Gigi Radice, Minotti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet upholstery and black lacquered metal legs. The upholstery has been redone.
Metal
Mid Century Style Leather Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style tufted leather upholstered sofa with a vintage brown top grain leather, with a tufted backrest and squared arms on metal bas...
Metal
$49,950
H 32 in W 64 in D 29 in
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century Modern, Bridge Sofa, Chandigarh, 1960s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stamford, CT
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century Modern, Bridge Sofa, Chandigarh, 1960s Bridge Sofa, Mid-Century Modern, Model PJ-SI-42-B attributed to Pierre Jeanner...
Fabric, Teak