Seating
1960s French Industrial Vintage Seating
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Acrylic
1980s American Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Lucite
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Plywood, Beech
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum, Iron
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Beech
2010s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Seating
Wool, Plastic
2010s Finnish Modern Seating
Fiberglass
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Textile, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Seating
Foam
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Textile, Beech
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating
Fabric
2010s Spanish Seating
Ceramic, Earthenware, Stoneware
1960s French Vintage Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1960s French Industrial Vintage Seating
Steel
2010s Australian Post-Modern Seating
Steel, Zinc
1950s Danish Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1970s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating
Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Ash, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Seating
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Seating
Velvet
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Beech
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Plastic
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Ash
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Foam, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Plastic
Mid-20th Century American Regency Seating
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Italian Minimalist Seating
Plastic
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century North American Post-Modern Seating
Upholstery
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
2010s Ukrainian Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Velvet
Unique Chairs, Sofas and Other Seating for Sale on 1stDibs
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.