Seating
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
1980s Swedish Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
Early 2000s American Art Deco Seating
Leather
Early 20th Century American Other Seating
Bentwood
2010s American Seating
Velvet
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Wood
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Oak
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Antique Seating
Upholstery
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Seating
Oak
2010s American Seating
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric
1940s French Vintage Seating
Elm, Oak
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1930s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Velvet, Oak
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Textile, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Beech
2010s Italian Seating
Textile, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Canvas, Beech
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Seating
Rush, Beech
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Seating
Bouclé, Maple
2010s Italian Seating
PVC, Fir, Plywood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Oak
Early 2000s Canadian Organic Modern Seating
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Seating
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Italian Vintage Seating
Metal
2010s Italian Seating
Textile, Birch
1960s Danish Brutalist Vintage Seating
Brass
1950s Vintage Seating
Iron
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Seating
Onyx
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
1930s Belgian Industrial Vintage Seating
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Fabric, Plastic
1840s Swiss Antique Seating
Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Beech
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Beech
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Plastic
Late 20th Century Louis XV Seating
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Birch
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Elm
Early 20th Century Bohemian Seating
Bamboo, Rattan, Bentwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Cane, Hardwood, Faux Leather
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Modern Seating
Steel
1950s French Brutalist Vintage Seating
Rush, Oak
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Beech
Late 20th Century American Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Minimalist Seating
Steel
19th Century Napoleon III Antique Seating
Cane, Wood, Giltwood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Teak, Upholstery
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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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.