Seating
Late 20th Century European Modern Seating
Leather, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Cotton, Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Cotton, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bamboo, Bentwood
2010s Turkish Modern Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Seating
Wood, Oak
2010s Turkish Industrial Seating
Aluminum
2010s Italian Seating
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Seating
Cane
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Seating
Linen, Foam, Wood, Oak, Down
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Italian Seating
Textile
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Minimalist Seating
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood, Leather
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Velvet, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Textile, Beech
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Goatskin, Ultrasuede
2010s North American Modern Seating
Linen, Wood, Down
2010s Italian Seating
Metal
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Chestnut
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Walnut
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Walnut
2010s Italian Seating
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Linen, Foam, Wood, Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Walnut
Early 2000s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal, Steel, Chrome
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Cotton, Velvet
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Seating
Brass
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Walnut
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Bouclé
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating
Upholstery, Maple, Burl
2010s Italian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Foam, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Rope, Wood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Seating
Brass, Stainless Steel
2010s Danish Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Seating
Brass
1940s French Rustic Vintage Seating
Rush, Oak
2010s Mexican Rustic Seating
Wood, Palmwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
1960s Italian Brutalist Vintage Seating
Wood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Seating
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Velvet, Faux Fur, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Seating
Walnut
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
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
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.
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.