Kidney Bench
Vintage 1940s Louis XIV Benches
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Provincial Benches
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1930s European Louis XVI Benches
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Benches
Cane, Giltwood
Vintage 1980s American Modern Benches
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Benches
Velvet
20th Century Unknown Footstools
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Textile, Walnut
Early 20th Century Louis XV Vanities
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century European Rustic Loveseats
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Brass
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Cane, Rattan, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Stools
Leather, Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Walnut, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Benches
Leather, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood, Birdseye Maple
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Naugahyde, Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Upholstery, Pine
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Fabric, Reed
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Teak, Wool, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic, Hardwood
20th Century Louis XV Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century British Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany, Fabric, Upholstery
1990s Ivorian Rustic Benches
Wood
Recent Sales
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Benches
Vintage 1950s French Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century English Benches
Wool, Oak
Antique 19th Century English Benches
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Walnut
Early 20th Century North American Victorian Benches
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Benches
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Benches
Metal
Early 20th Century Benches
Cement
Early 20th Century Edwardian Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Benches
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Mohair, Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Benches
Iron
Vintage 1970s American Adirondack Benches
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Antique Late 19th Century French Benches
Cane, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Vintage 1940s Unknown Romantic Children's Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century Loveseats
Leather
Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Dressers
Brass
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Benches
Giltwood, Silk, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
20th Century American Benches
Wicker, Upholstery
Vintage 1920s American Benches
Bronze
Early 20th Century North American Art Nouveau Benches
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Benches
Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century Louis XV Benches
Fabric, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Benches
Fabric, Linen, Foam, Wood, Walnut, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Benches
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Benches
Iron, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mid-20th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Stools
Early 20th Century European Louis XV Benches
Wood, Cane
Early 20th Century French Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Benches
Bentwood, Cane
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Antique 1880s Austrian Vienna Secession Benches
Cane, Bentwood
Kidney Bench For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Kidney Bench?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.