Seating
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Seating
Linen, Wood
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Wood, Oak, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
19th Century Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Louis XVI Seating
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet
1880s French Antique Seating
Leather
1990s Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
20th Century American Seating
Wood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Seating
Walnut
2010s Portuguese Seating
Leather, Wood, Walnut
1690s Czech Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Beech, Plywood
2010s Italian Seating
Travertine, Marble
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Copper
19th Century French Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
2010s French Seating
Fiberglass
20th Century French Art Deco Seating
Brass
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Seating
Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wool, Oak
19th Century British Antique Seating
Wool
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
1970s Japanese Vintage Seating
Metal
1930s Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Wood
2010s British Seating
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak, Walnut
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Elm
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel
Mid-20th Century Post-Modern Seating
Velvet, Lacquer
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Seating
Metal
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Seating
Silk
2010s Chinese Seating
Steel
2010s American Shaker Seating
Maple, Walnut
18th Century English Hepplewhite Antique Seating
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Seating
Leather, Teak
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Cotton
2010s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Seating
Cement
2010s Danish Seating
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel
1860s Antique Seating
Bronze, Iron
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Seating
Bamboo
2010s Norwegian Seating
Ash
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Seating
Bronze
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wool, Hardwood
2010s Unknown Hollywood Regency Seating
Bone, Resin, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian International Style Seating
Leather, Bamboo, Raffia, Rattan
1980s North American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Seating
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
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.