Seating
1980s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Fabric, Oak
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Metal
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Birch
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Seating
Velvet, Birch
2010s American Modern Seating
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Teak
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1930s Moroccan Moorish Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Upholstery, Teak
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Beech, Plywood
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Bronze
2010s Seating
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
Early 20th Century American Regency Seating
Iron
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Seating
Velvet, Wood, Paint
1930s Art Deco Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1950s North American Vintage Seating
Upholstery
20th Century American Organic Modern Seating
Brass
2010s Seating
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal, Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Seating
Rush, Wood
20th Century British Seating
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Satin, Wood
2010s Seating
Velvet
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Seating
Wood, Oak
19th Century English Chippendale Antique Seating
Satinwood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery
1970s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Pine
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Suede, Rosewood
1980s Dutch Vintage Seating
Fabric
1950s Dutch Minimalist Vintage Seating
Metal
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet
1940s French Rustic Vintage Seating
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Industrial Seating
Metal
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Leather, Silk, Birch
1980s European Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Seating
Fabric, Velvet, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown Rustic Seating
Rope, Maple
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Cane, Teak, Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Velvet, Wood
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Seating
Teak
Early 2000s American Modern Seating
Fabric, Hardwood
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Seating
Chrome
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Fiberglass
1980s Unknown Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
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.