The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
1980s Modular Ganging ELYSÉE Sofa Unit Sectional by Steelcase
By Steelcase, Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Bensalem, PA
Great six piece Steelcase modular sectional sofa
Upholstery
Fabulous Steelcase Fiberglass Leather Space Age Modern Sofa William Andrus
By Steelcase
Located in Pemberton, NJ
One of the iconic designs of the Space Age modern movement is this awesome and uber rare Steelcase fiberglass, leather and Lucite sofa. Previously...
Leather, Fiberglass, Lucite
$1,520Sale Price / item|20% Off
Steelcase Campfire Soft Seating Sofa
By Steelcase
Located in Pasadena, TX
The Campfire Big Lounge acts as a gathering spot in any space. Perfect for relaxing on with your laptop for a bit, or invite more people over to lounge, bringing people together and ...
Fabric
Mid Century Modern 2 Piece Sofa Set by Steelcase Newly Reupholstered in Mohair
By Steelcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Steelcase 3 Seat & 2 Seat Sofa Set Newly Reupholstered in “Cobalt Blue” Mohair - Set of 2 This Mid Century Modern Ste...
Steel
Modernist Two-Seat Sofa in Grey Cotton Velvet & Stainless
By Steelcase
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Sleek, simple and well constructed. Base is covered in gray cotton velvet. Seat backs and cushion pads in a gray checker board. Stainless steel legs. Heavy...
Stainless Steel
Sacha Sofa - Modern Sofa in Soft White Bouclé
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
The Sacha Sofa is a modern and stylish piece of furniture that will add a touch of elegance to any room. It is upholstered in a luxurious Soft Wite boucle fabric in warm white, which not only looks great but also feels soft and comfortable. The sofa features a unique and eye-catching iconic modern design that adds a sense of movement and flow to the room. The curves and channels of the sofa provide an iconic statement piece. The frame of the Sacha Sofa is constructed with a sturdy wooden structure and upholstered with a soft cloud boucle fabric. Overall, the Sacha Sofa is a beautifully designed and well-made piece of furniture that will make a statement in any room. Whether you use it in your living room, bedroom, or office, this chair will add a touch of modern elegance and sophistication to your space. The Sacha Sofa features layers of channeled fabric to create a chic and sophisticated lounge. One of Shine by S.H.O's most iconic designs began as a Chaise and has transformed into an entire family of products. Our Sacha Sofa is made to order in California and featured here in our Grade J Soft White...
Upholstery
PILLAR SOFA - Modern design in Soft White Boucle
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
The Pillar Sectional Sofa is a stunning piece of furniture with a unique and captivating design. It is characterized by layered, asymmetrical design elements that create a sense of sophistication and simplicity. The deliberate imbalance in these design elements comes together harmoniously to make a minimal yet elegant design statement. The displayed fabric for the Pillar Sofa...
Fabric
Space Age Sofa in White Wood and Aubergine Leather, USA circa 1970
By William Andrus
Located in View Park, CA
A modernist space age sofa after William Andrus, circa 1970. Painted white wood shell with aubergine hued leather, which appears slightly espresso in darker light. Significantly dis...
Leather, Wood
$8,158 / set
H 43.31 in W 71.66 in D 29.53 in
Seating Set of Baroque Sofa and Two Armchairs, Budapest, 1870s
Located in Budapest, HU
Beautiful baroque seating set consisting of a sofa and two armchairs. Extraordinary workmanship of the woods made according to the canons of the ti...
Velvet, Wood
$5,710 / item
H 29 in W 59 in D 39 in
Green New York Velvet Loveseat Sofa, Designed by Sergio Bicego, Made in Italy
By Sergio Bicego
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2) The new New York collection designs by Sergio Bicego still retains a contemporary soul a...
Velvet
$1,381Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 19.88 in W 74.65 in D 29.5 in
Kartell Bubble Club 2-Seat Sofa in Zinc White by Philippe Starck
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A veritable icon made by Kartell, the mass-tinted polypropylene Bubble Club sofa was a Pioneer of a new concept in furniture accessories: the Industrial sofa made entirely of plastic...
Plastic
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 79 in D 42 in
F&T Salotti Space Age Italian Velvet and Chrome Wrapped Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid century Italian sofa by F&T Salotti. Overstuffed space age silhouette. Original chocolate brown ruched velvet and brushed steel panel. One sofa and two chairs available, all so...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Red Mohair Sofa and Daybed, 1950s Asymmetric Design
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dramatic mid-century red mohair sofa that converts to a daybed in a great size. Asymmetric with dog-bone shape, a popular style in the 1950s.
Mohair, Wood
$8,741 / set
H 29.93 in W 81.11 in D 31.5 in
5 Piece Sofa Set for Reupholstering, Manufactured by Isa Bergamo in the 1950s
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The sofa set was designed and manufactured by ISA Bergamo in the 1950s. The set with gold lacquered cast aluminum legs consists of a curved sofa, two armchairs, and two smaller side chairs...
Aluminum
$5,821
H 41.34 in W 87.8 in D 31.5 in
Ligne Roset Model "Marsala" Space Age Sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy, 1970s
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Antwerp, BE
Seventies low three-seater lounge sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy. Manufactured by Ligne Roset. Model "Marsala" sofa shows Ducaroys characteristic style and innovative approach to de...
Plexiglass
$3,000
H 16 in W 88 in D 34 in
Mid Century Space Age 3 Section Tan Leather Modular sofa by Luigi Colani for COR
By Luigi Colani, Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Space Age 3 Section Tan Leather Modular sofa by Luigi Colani for COR. Space age set of 3 Leather tufted sections of a 3 seat sofa. The arms can be removed and they can be...
Steel
$28,000
H 32.5 in W 194 in D 106 in
Milo Baughman, Sectional Sofa, Fabric, Stainless Steel, USA, 1980s
By Milo Baughman
Located in High Point, NC
A large grey fabric and stainless steel sofa designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Thayer-Coggin, High Point, North Carolina, USA, c. 1980s. Overall moderate wear to bottom edg...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 25 in W 84 in D 33.5 in
Vintage 1978 William Andrus for Steelcase Brown Leather Soft Seating Sofa
By Steelcase
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage 1978 "Soft Seating" sofa by William Andrus for Steelcase. This is a gorgeous example of an iconic space age Steelcase furniture design. The "Soft Seating" set was designed...
Leather
Sold
H 25 in W 84 in D 33.5 in
Vintage 1978 William Andrus for Steelcase Brown Leather Soft Seating Sofa
By Steelcase
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage 1978 "Soft Seating" sofa by William Andrus for Steelcase. This is a gorgeous example of an iconic space age Steelcase furniture design. ...
Leather
Elysee Ganging Sofa by Steelcase circa 1980s
By Steelcase
Located in Medina, OH
Steelcase Modular Ganging Elysee Sofa in original plum performance fabric. The genius design of this modular sofa by Steelcase, connects all three seating units (chairs) by a steel ...
Steel
Geometric Minimalist 4 seat modern sofa by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Geometric Minimalist modern pre owned Await Lounge System four seat sofa with caramel faux leather upholstery designed by EOOS and manufactured by Steelcase for Coalesse. Made in USA...
Faux Leather
Sold
H 25 in W 84 in D 32 in
Vintage Leather and Lucite Floating Sofa by William C. Andrus for Steelcase
By Steelcase, William Andrus
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage leather and lucite sofa designed by William C. Andrus for Steelcase in the United States, circa 1970’s. The newly reupholstered sofa...
Aluminum
Sold
H 30.5 in W 76.5 in D 32 in
American Mid Century Modern Steelcase 3 Seater Sofa Chrome Base New Fabric
By Steelcase
Located in San Diego, CA
Classic American mid-century sofa by Steelcase, circa 1970's new fabric polished chrome base with awesome back legs simple elegant with new Knoll fabric upholstery.
Chrome
Sold
H 31 in W 110 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Coalesse Millbrae Contract Green 4 Seat Sofa Lounge
By Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in Secaucus, NJ
This fabulous Millbrae four seat sofa delivers firm comfort and exceptional support. The horizontal steel base forms a simple modernist foundation for paneled, quilted cushions that ...
Steel
Sold
H 25 in W 82 in D 33 in
William Andrus for Steelcase Space Age Lounge, White Bouclé and Leather, 1970s
By Steelcase, William Andrus
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed in the 1970s, this chair is considered to be one of the holy grails for Space Age and modern design enthusiasts alike. This lounge chair is stunning .With its curved body, r...
Leather, Bouclé, Fiberglass
Sold
H 25 in W 82 in D 33 in
William Andrus for Steelcase Space Age, Sofa, White Bouclé and Leather, 1970s
By Steelcase, William Andrus
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed in the 1970s, this sofa (and set) is considered to be one of the holy grails for Space Age and modern design enthusiasts alike. The Large #465 Soft seat sofa is stunning .Wi...
Leather, Fiberglass, Bouclé
Sofa and Chair by William Andrus for Steelcase
By William Andrus, Steelcase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Absolutely stunning next level sofa and chair by William Andrus for Steelcase. Each piece has the appearance to be floating by the acrylic base...
Velvet, Acrylic, Fiberglass
Sold
H 25 in W 82 in D 33 in
William Andrus for Steelcase Space Age, Sofa, Chair, Living Room Suite, 1970's
By Steelcase, William Andrus
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed in the 1970's, this living room suite is considered as one of the holy grails for space age and modern design enthusiasts alike. (4 pieces, Large #465 Soft seat sofa, lounge chair, coffee table and matching side table) .With its curved body, rounded edges, and clean lines, this set-- while space age, mod in nature, can effortlessly flex into any mid century modern, modern or contemporary environment. The fiberglass shells of this set are still in their original, unrestored bisque color and are in near-perfect condition-- with only one corner on the back of the sofa that has a few very small knicks on the paint. The mirrors all bear their dates of manufacture on their underside in the 1970's and have wonderful patina and age spots that only come with age and time. The sofa is upholstered in its original supple brown leather that is also in near perfect condition with very minimal wear-- this set would be akin to a vintage corvette...
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bauhaus Steelcase Black Leather Tandem Sofa
By Steelcase
Located in Houston, TX
The sexiest sofa I’ve had in my possession. This vintage steelcase leather tandem sofa has been recently restored with a 100% genuine buttery black leather...
Chrome