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
$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
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
$1,542Sale 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
$2,570Sale Price|50% Off
H 34.26 in W 70.87 in D 70.87 in
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
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
$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 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
$4,200
H 30.5 in W 93.5 in D 32.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Pencil Reed Modular or Sectional Sofa with New Cushion
By Comfort Design Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome and sculptural sofa made by Comfort Design Furniture in the 1970's. The sofa features nice heavy construction with a sculptural design & bamboo reed clad. Cushions were re...
Fabric, Bamboo
$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 Minotti, Gigi Radice
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
$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
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
$24,975
H 26 in W 80 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Smoked Pewter Velvet & Ebonized Walnut by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid Century Modern sofa was realized by the legendary Jules Leleu in France circa 1960. It offers the clean silhouette, attention to detail and timeless (yet perennially...
Velvet, Walnut
$3,900
H 32.75 in W 77 in D 31.25 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid-Century Modern Sofa with Brass Cross Stretcher
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in St. Louis, MO
1950s Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb for Directional sofa on tapered legs with round brass stretcher from front to back and side to side. Drop arm detail, older floral upholstery ne...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern "Cloud" Walnut Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elevate your living space with this extraordinary vintage Cloud sofa, an iconic creation by celebrated architect and designer Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Handmade in the Un...
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-Century Gondola Style Sofa by Kroehler
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century sofa manufactured by Kroehler and very much in the style of Adrian Pearsall, i.e., the Gondola Sofa. This long sofa sits atop a sculptured walnut wooden base. The suppo...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 29.75 in W 105 in D 31.5 in
Mid Century Modern Kroehler Gondola sofa style of Adrian Pearsall Kagan
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This exquisite Kroehler Gondola Sofa is part of their "American Leisure collection, often mistaken for Adrian Pearsall's work, it surpasses many Pearsall pieces in both construction...
Walnut
Sold
H 35 in W 82 in D 29.5 in
Antique Kroehler Mission Quartersawn Oak Sofa Couch Unifold Davenport Bed
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Kroehler unifold Davenport sofa/couch/bed. Made of quartersawn oak featuring traditional Mission styling with vinyl upholstery and a folding fra...
Faux Leather, Oak
Mid Century Modern Kroehler Avant Fully Restored Sofa
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage MCM Mid Century Modern Kroehler Avant 3 seat sofa c.1960’s. Tapered walnut legs and blue tweed style upholstery Unusual Avant model with scalloped walnut back detailing. Sof...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 29.75 in W 105 in D 31.5 in
Mid Century Modern Kroehler Gondola sofa style of Adrian Pearsall Kagan
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This exquisite Kroehler Gondola Sofa is part of their "American Leisure collection, often mistaken for Adrian Pearsall's work, it surpasses many Pearsall pieces in both construction...
Walnut
Sold
H 25 in W 86.5 in D 34 in
Vintage Modern Kroehler Multi Color Geometric Pattern Tufted Tuxedo Style Sofa
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Modern Kroehler multi color geometric pattern button tufted tuxedo style sofa. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vint...
Fabric, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Avant Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Avant mid century walnut sofa The sofa measures: 86 wide x 32 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa The sofa measures: 93 wide x 33 deep x 29.5 high, with a seat height of 15 inches and an arm height of 20.5 inches ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century Plinth Base Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century Plinth Base Gondola sofa The sofa measures: 96 wide x 33 deep x 23 high, with a seat height of 16 inches Ready for new upholstery ...
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall style Kroehler mid century gondola sofa The sofa measures: 93 wide x 33.5 deep x 27.25 high, with a seat height of 17.25 inches...
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Mid Century Gondola Sofa
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall style Kroehler mid century Gondola sofa Sofa measures: 107 wide x 34 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 15 inches Ready for r...
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Style Kroehler Midcentury Re-Upholstered Orange Gondola Sofa
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall style Kroehler midcentury re-upholstered orange gondola sofa Sofa measures: 96 wide x 32 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 16 inches All pieces of furniture ...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Elongated Sofa on Wheels by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is an elongated midcentury sofa with four seats by Kroehler. Features three caster wheels in front and wood legs in back, which makes for easy moving. Perfect fo...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Long Green Kroehler Sofa
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a Mid-Century Modern sofa by Kroehler. Features original green upholstery, two large seat cushions and back cushions. Seat cushions are removable, back cushio...
Upholstery, Wood
American-Made Sofa with Glass End Tables by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 1978 design with Postmodern stylings from midwestern manufacturer Kroehler, this sofa has an upholstered frame with rounded edges in navy blue cotton canvas. The platform sits on f...
Cotton, Glass, Oak