Seating
Late 20th Century American American Colonial Seating
Nutwood, Paint
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Suede, Lucite
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Other
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Plastic, Fabric
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Iron
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
1970s German Brutalist Vintage Seating
Wood
1970s Italian Other Vintage Seating
Brass
1980s French Minimalist Vintage Seating
Metal
Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Fabric, Ebony, Oak
1970s Philippine Bohemian Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Biedermeier Seating
Upholstery, Cherry
1990s Swiss Post-Modern Seating
Leather, Wood
1980s Vintage Seating
Fabric, Lacquer
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Foam
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Goatskin, Velvet, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery
1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Pine
Late 20th Century English Chesterfield Seating
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Plastic
Late 20th Century Queen Anne Seating
Leather, Wood
1970s French Space Age Vintage Seating
Fiberglass, Wood, Lacquer
1970s Vintage Seating
Fiberglass
1970s North American Vintage Seating
Wool
1970s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wood
1990s Dutch Modern Seating
Maple
1980s Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Rattan
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
1990s American Organic Modern Seating
Cane, Mahogany
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Oak
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Plastic
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Rattan
1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Plastic, Oak
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Iron
Early 1900s German Antique Seating
Wood
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
Early 1900s Norwegian Louis Philippe Antique Seating
Beech
1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Pine
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1970s French Vintage Seating
Cowhide
1970s Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s South American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
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.