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.
Modern Lievore Altherr Molina for Coalesse Montara650 Gray Bar Stools - Set Of 3
By Lievore Altherr Molina, Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in Secaucus, NJ
These slim and graceful Montara650 Bar height stools are comfortable and well-crafted. Features sculpted oak veneered plywood shell with fully upholstered seat and back. It's stylish...
Chrome
$2,200Sale Price|21% Off
Pair of Multi Adjustable Steelcase Swivel Bar Stools in Girard Style Fabric
By Steelcase
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Steelcase co. adjustable operator bar counter stools. Upholstered in Alexander Girard attributed brown and gold striped textile. Excellent condition through out chrome and upholstery. Stools are multi adjustable. Seat height is listed at 35...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Set of Eight
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of eight contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stool
By Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stool By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seat and back, with chrome frame. Measures: 16.5"W x 20"D x 41.5"H. S...
Chrome
Modern Lievore Altherr Molina for Coalesse Montara650 Bar Stools, New Set of 3
By Steelcase, Lievore Altherr Molina, Coalesse
Located in Secaucus, NJ
This slim and graceful Montara650 bar height stools are comfortable and well-crafted. Features sculpted oak veneered plywood shell with upholstered seat. It's stylish and functiona...
Metal
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Set of Six
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x 2...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Set of Four
By Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x ...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Pair
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x 20"D...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Set of Ten
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of ten contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x 2...
Chrome
$1,890 / set
Set Of 4 Steelcase Coalesse Switch Stools
By Steelcase
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set Of 4 Steelcase Coalesse Switch Stools Made In USA The Switch Collection provides a versatile line of contemporary side, dining, and lounge seat...
Chrome
Modern Minimalist Steelcase Turnstone Scoop Bar Stool, 4 Available "New in Box"
By Steelcase
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous modern minimalist Scoop bar-height stool by Steelcase and Turnstone. Scoop is simple, durable, and functional; its unique shell shape is inspired by a traditional grain scoo...
Steel
Modern Lievore Altherr Molina for Coalesse Enea Lottus Bar Stools New, a Pair
By Coalesse, Steelcase, Lievore Altherr Molina
Located in Secaucus, NJ
This slim and graceful Enea Lottus Bar height stools are comfortable and well-crafted, Features flexible sculpted polypropylene shell with upholstered seat, It's stylish and functi...
Steel
$3,436 / set
H 43.31 in W 22.05 in D 13 in
Set of Three Mid-Century Modern Swivel Bar Stools, Chrome & Goatskin
Located in London, GB
Set of three 1960's chrome swivel bar stools with backrests by Tambourin. Newly upholstered in goatskin, each stool showcases the distinctive character and natural markings of the in...
Chrome
Bertu Bar Stool, Cicely Modern White Oak Bar Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Bar Stool, Cicely Modern White Oak Bar Stool This Modern White Oak Bar Stool - The Cicely is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio...
Wood, Oak
Set Of 4 Knoll Bertoia Polished Chrome Bar Stools
By Knoll
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of 4 Knoll Bertoia polished chrome bar stools with a welded, chromed-steel wire seat & back, four legs conjoined with a box stretcher and resting on pad feet. The pieces have the...
Other, Chrome
$795 / set
H 6.75 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Set 12 Vintage Bar Or Cocktail Glasses. Multi Color & Heavy Bases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
What a fun set of 12 bar glasses ! Beautifully blown with unique assorted colored bases. They are heavy and in really nice vintage condition. Please look at all the pictures and the ...
Crystal
Stelton Martini pitcher in the style of Arne Jacobsen Rosewood Denmark
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A stunning sculptural stainless-steel martini pitcher with built in strainer to the pour spout. The curved handle is fashioned out of Brazilian rosewood designed in the style of icon...
Stainless Steel
$21,036 / set
H 34 in W 18 in D 22 in
Set of 4 Counter or Bar Stools Modern/Contemporary Blackened Steel and Leather
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
BAR STOOL - SET OF 4 J.M. Szymanski d. 2018 Inspired by a Spanish toreador, this sleek combination of blackened steel and thick bull leather. Can be modified to any seat height. ...
Steel
$2,750 / set
H 39 in W 16.5 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Counter or Bar Stools Modern Italian Steel and Leather
Located in Bronx, NY
Italian modern bar stool or counter stool. Constructed from high-quality, chrome-finished stainless steel for strength, Designed with style a...
Chrome
$320Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 25.75 in W 15.75 in D 12.4 in
1 Modern Steelcase Enea Counter Stool by Josep Llusca
By Josep Llusca
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Modern Enea cafe counter stools by Josep Llusca Simple and elegant counter height stools complement any gathering space. Polished aluminum footrest ...
Steel
$11,283 / set
H 36.23 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Set of Eight Vintage Flowers and Wood Swivel Bar Stools, Germany, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Produced in Germany. Beautiful, well crafted flower Italian upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and brown wood legs. Not...
Steel
$2,900 / set
H 38.5 in W 25 in D 19.5 in
Daystrom Mid Century Faux Leather and Chrome Swivel Bar Stools
By Daystrom Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Daystrom Furniture started making furniture in 1934. This is a highly desirable set of 4 swivel barstools with foot rest. The stools are chrome plated and have a nice faux leather fa...
Chrome
$625Sale Price|30% Off
H 38.25 in W 26 in D 22.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cantilever Bar Stool in Chrome and Wood
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Trenton, NJ
This vintage cantilever barstool strikes a balance between sculptural form and everyday function, embodying the sleek modernist aesthetic that defined much of mid-century design. Its...
Metal
$1,500 / set
H 29 in W 18 in D 25.5 in
Vintage John Behringer Stendig Chrome Modern Prometheus Bar Stools - Set of 3
By Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage John Behringer for Stendig Chrome Modern Prometheus Bar Stools - Set of 3. Item features (3) stackable chrome metal frames, vinyl upholstered se...
Chrome
Sold
H 50 in W 27 in D 25 in
Steelcase Leap Ergonomic Stool Chair in Black Fabric Fully Adjustable, Brand New
By Steelcase
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Leap V2 stool provides a healthier way to sit to whoever sits in it, for perfect support, comfort and performance all day long. Back support LiveBack technology conforms to your ...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Set of 3 Steelcase "Scoop" Bar Stools
By Steelcase
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Great set of 3 Steelcase scoop bar stools with steel frames and molded plastic, hard plastic with a cushioned seat. Sold and priced as a set of 3. In e...
Steel
Sold
H 33 in W 23 in D 22 in
Sculptural Steelcase Bar Stools with Diane von Furstenberg Leopard Cushions
By Steelcase, Diane von Furstenberg
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Sculptural Turnstone modern scoop bar stools with newly upholstered cushions using Diane Von Furstenberg white and black leopard “Spotted Cat” print fabric. The DVF abstract fabric g...
Steel
Set of 4 Modern Scoop Stools by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set of 4 Scoop stools by Steelcase. These stylish stools provide space saving while the durable polypropylene construction ensures many years of durability...
Metal