Seating
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Hardwood
Early 20th Century English Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Linen, Wood, Down
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Straw, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel
2010s American Modern Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Polish Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wicker, Bentwood
1950s American Louis XV Vintage Seating
Walnut
Early 1800s Italian Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Late 19th Century French Gothic Antique Seating
Oak
2010s Italian Seating
Fabric
19th Century Antique Seating
Upholstery
1960s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood
2010s Cambodian Seating
Fabric, Oak
2010s Turkish Seating
Brass
1980s Vintage Seating
Metal
1950s Swedish Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Seating
Stainless Steel
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Birch
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XIV Seating
Upholstery, Fruitwood
1920s German Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Wood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Cotton, Velvet
19th Century Antique Seating
Hardwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Linen, Oak
1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Rattan, Bentwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Birch
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Colonial Revival Seating
Leather, Chestnut
1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Teak
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Rattan, Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Seating
Rattan, Bentwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Seating
Rush, Oak
2010s Ukrainian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Fabric, Wool, Mohair, Bouclé, Velvet, Faux Fur, Ash
Mid-20th Century Macedonian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Cord, Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Seating
Steel
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum
1950s Vintage Seating
Wood
Late 18th Century Swiss Antique Seating
Wood
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
2010s Italian Seating
Textile
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Seating
Velvet, Giltwood
20th Century French Art Deco Seating
Textile, Foam, Wood
Early 19th Century American Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Seating
Hardwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Oak
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
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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.