Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color: Gray
Set of Midcentury Garden Chairs and Table, Iron, White Painted, German
Located in Epfach, DE
Set of midcentury garden chairs and table, iron, white painted, german
Wonderful set of 2 armchairs, 3 chairs and a small cocktail table. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
Russell Woodard Style Metal Garden or Porch Sofa with Matching Lounge Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Woodard inspired sofa and matching lounge chairs, handmade wrought-iron outdoor patio, garden or porch furniture featuring scrolling map...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Russell Woodard Deco Style Aluminum Outdoor Patio Chaise Lounge
Located in Chicago, IL
Less common to find. Original Russell Woodard Aluminum Chaise. Very clean. Just needs pillows fabricated for it. I have reference photos for what this looks like. Please email to req...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Woodard Sculptura Ottoman
By John Woodard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scarce, John Woodard sculptura wrought iron outdoor ottoman. The iron mesh has been painted a crisp white for a classic look. This example is from th...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
Vintage Burgess England Mid-Century Modern Iron Metal Patio Set Chairs Loveseat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage burgess England Mid-Century Modern iron metal patio set chairs loveseat. Listing includes (1) Loveseat, (2) armchairs, (2) side tables, perfora...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage lounges Eliel Saarinen & Pipsan Saarinen Swanson
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of vintage midcentury wrought iron patio chairs. Most likely European. French or Italian.
Manner of Salterini, Milo Baughman...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Four Sculptural High-Back Steel Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Four high back chairs covered in Sunbrella fabric. We had these chairs sand blasted and powder coated in satin white. Can be used either inside o...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Steel
1960s Tempestini Style Tripod Dining Table
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A modernist tripod dining table, similar in form to Maurizio Tempestini or Salterini tables.
Of 1960s vintage, it would go very well with our C...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Steel
Wrought Iron Side Table Attributed to Woodard
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron stand having weave pattern top, with waisted form base. This example is currently in old paint finish, usable as is, or we can provide custom powder coat finish ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Original Russell Woodard Polished Aluminum Armchairs, Pair
Located in East Hampton, NY
Designed by Herbert Saiger for Woodard & Sons, these polished to a perfect shine armchairs have been restored beautifully.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Russell Woodard Round Table and Four Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
Aluminum Russell woodard black tinted glass top table and chairs by Lee L. Woodard & Sons. Table is 42" diameter x 28.5" H. chairs are black...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mid Century a Five-Piece Garden Set
Located in Water Mill, NY
1950s five-piece, five chairs, foot stool/table aluminium with black and white webbing
from a Southampton Estate. Once belonging to Z Gabor.
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Custom 4 Person Outdoor "Circle 8" Iron Table with Glass Top
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Custom made 4 person outdoor "circle 8" iron table with glass top. The table features a unique repeating circle 8 design made up of individua...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Steel, Iron
French Mid-20th Century Iron and Stone Dining Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Beautiful table of simple and elegant design, with a wrought iron base painted in original dark red, and a thick slab of white stone on top, resting flush with the apron. Can be used...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Set of Four Maurizio Tempestini White Lacquer Iron Frame and Mesh Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare set of four Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini white lacquer over wrought iron framed and iron mesh outdoor dining chairs. Minimalist design with open arms and linear form, iron ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern White Enameled Aluminum Bench Attributed to Superstudio
By Superstudio
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern white enameled aluminum bench attributed to Superstudio.
The bench is in reverse U-shaped form and composed of a series of grooved pieces of aluminum. It is light and designed to be easily transported as they will easily wraparound a person's body. Italian Radical...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Stylized Outdoor Metal Glider Chairs, Art Deco, Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair of stylized outdoor metal glider chairs. Nice quality and construction. Unusual modernist design. Hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Polished Aluminum Armchairs by Russell Woodard, circa 1965
Located in North Miami, FL
Professionally polished and lacquer sealed, and newly upholstered in a cream-flecked greige all-weather bouclé, these 1960s aluminum chairs by Ru...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Mid Century High Back Wrought Iron Patio Garden Dining Chair Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four, mid century, patio, garden, outdoor chairs feature scrolled, wrought iron, high back frames newly painted in light blue and newly upholstered seats in durable outdoor fa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Modernist Spalti 'Glass' Mosaic Tile Top Dining Table
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Spalti (glass) mosaic tile dining top table. Superior quality. Very well executed. Iron surround, decorative metal table base, large and heavy.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Vintage Parzinger style Table, circa 1950
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Stunning 1950s Jean Royere style table. Great style with vintage hammered glass textured top that is tempered.
Category
1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair Of French Green Mid-Century Modern Faux Bamboo Metal Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of French green Mid-Century Modern faux bamboo metal armchairs
Newly powder-coated green, was original worn down chrome
Newly upholstered in a white faux suede.
DC, Philade...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern White Metal Vintage Table by Wladar & Mödlhammer for Sonett
Located in Vienna, AT
This presented squared white metal vintage table was designed by J.O.Wladar & V. Mödlhammer, Vienna, circa 1955 for Sonett Karl Fostel´s Sen. Erben.
Also the table was made of wire ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
French 1950s Painted Metal Table, Comes Apart
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Fabulous French Mid-Century square table, with great colours. Comes apart entirely. The square folded iron top has a grid system beneath, into which the four legs slot into place and...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Contemporary Modern Decorator Style Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage iron coffee table with nine glass panel inserts. Strong metal frame with bowed runners makes an impressive modern addition to home or...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Glass
Set of 13 French 1950s Chairs
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant, wide and comfortable set of seven chairs and six armchairs from the 1950s. Made of sturdy but light tubular metal, painted white. Criss-crossed iron seat bases. The cushions...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
Woodard Wrought Iron with Mesh Settee
Located in Ferndale, MI
Woodard wrought iron with mesh settee. Fresh poiwder coat finish . New glides installed on all four legs .
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Mid-Century Reclining Patio Lounge Arm Chairs w/ Extendable Foot-Rests
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of American Mid-Century reclining patio chairs. This pair of vintage iron patio chairs from the mid-20th century feature simple lines ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
French 1950s Dining Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
A French, circa midcentury round dining table of nice design, made of painted iron, and fitted with a safety glass top.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
Set of Four Wrought Iron and Plastic Strap Garden Patio Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Stylish set of four garden, patio chairs. These chairs have wrought iron frames with plastic strap seats and backs. All are in good structural condition, all show cosmetic wear, norm...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron & Marble "Zig-Zag" Table, France, 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rather wonderful and unique French Mid-Century square centre or dining table, made of wrought-iron with striking legs, and a thick Carrara marble top. Original white paint.
Suitable...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Garden Table
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century garden table with spiral legs and plate glass top. Beautiful patination throughout. Matching chairs available. Small 3/16" chip on corner of glass top.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of French Lounge Chairs in Manner of Rene Prou, 1940s
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of French 1940s chairs in manner of Rene Prou. Beautiful detail and form to the backs. More pics to come.
Need new upholstery as sho...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Garden Seating Group by Stanislaus Karasek & Co, 1950s, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Garden seating group by Stanislaus Karasek & Co, 1950s, Austria.
Good Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of Four Cubist Style Stools, France, circa 1960s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Set of four iron stools of unusual design. The tripod base is painted glossy white and the seats are covered in hard-wearing outdoor canvas, orange with white piping.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
French 1950s Painted Iron Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rectangular table of simple, unfussy design, with a perforated sheet metal top rasied on square legs. Original glossy white paint finish.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Russell Woodard Mid-Century Modern Sculptura Outdoor Dining Set- Set of 9
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A gorgeous Russell Woodard Mid-Century Modern Sculptura Outdoor Dining Set..... consisting of a set of eight chairs and a large octagonal shaped table...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair 1970s Canvas and Metal Reclining Garden Sun Lounger Chairs
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful pair of original 1970s garden lounge chairs. Metal tubular frames with distressed paint finish. Canvas seats attach to the frame with nylon cord. One of the nylon cords tha...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Metal Mesh Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of wonderfully stylish Russell Woodard style mesh wire arm chairs with rounded barrel back and arms. Metal mesh body rests on wrought iron legs. S...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal
Luigi Colani Fiberglass Bench Sofa Garden Party for Heinz Essmann KG
By Luigi Colani, Essmann
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Object is designed by Luigi Colani 1968 with the model name Garden Party.
It is a bench or Sofa for outdoor use and also at home.
As all Colanis design this has a organic & dynamic design.
Made of white fiberglass,
In Vintage condition. It has 2 tiny holes in the seating area where the rain...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Fiberglass
Set of Four René Prou 'Fer Forgé Rond' Iron Side Chairs, France, 1940's
By René Prou
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
A gorgeous set of four 'fer forgé rond' - iron side chairs designed by René Prou (French 1889-1947), France, circa 1940s.
The chairs are decorated with a delicate scrolled design, th...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of White Rattan Sofa Frames by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of white Rattan sofa Frames by Paul Frankl, complete with vintage cushions. Each with six strand square pretzel side arms and stacked rattan ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Rattan
John Salterini Style Seven Piece Garden Dining Suite
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern seven piece garden patio dining suite consisting of six chairs and a dining table measuring 64.5 inches wide 32.5 inches deep and 30 inches high. Crafted from painted wrought iron in a weeping flower leaf motif. The chairs have a whimsical oval backrest...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Mid-Century Modern Armchair by Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th-century vintage garden armchair by the iconic French designer Mathieu Matégot was designed with his distinct perforated sheet metal and steel tube structure. In white lacquer....
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Steel
Outdoor Metal Lounge Chairs, Attrib to Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning pair outdoor metal / iron lounge chairs, attributed to Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. Great classic modernist design, extremely comfortable, retain newer seat and back c...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Mid-century Modern patio and garden furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern patio and garden furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage patio and garden furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern patio and garden furniture made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original patio and garden furniture, popular names associated with this style include Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co., Brown Jordan, and John Salterini. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for patio and garden furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $125 and tops out at $195,000 while the average work can sell for $2,000.
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