Seating
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Wood
1940s Belgian Folk Art Vintage Seating
Oak
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Beech
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Seating
Mohair, Wood
1940s Vintage Seating
Fabric, Rattan
1940s French Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1940s French Vintage Seating
Rush, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Oak
1940s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Oak
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cowhide, Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Bouclé, Walnut
1940s French Vintage Seating
Steel
1920s Vintage Seating
Wicker
1920s Swiss Vintage Seating
Wood
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1920s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Oak
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Fabric, Cane, Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1920s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Oak
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Oak
1940s American Adirondack Vintage Seating
Hickory
1940s French Vintage Seating
Steel
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Oak
1920s American Neoclassical Vintage Seating
Foam, Mahogany, Fabric
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Seating
Velvet, Macassar, Oak
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Teak
1920s European Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Cane, Beech
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Ash, Plywood
1940s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1920s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Teak
1920s Scottish Vintage Seating
Oak
1920s English Adam Style Vintage Seating
Satinwood
1940s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wood
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Seating
Rush, Oak
1940s French Vintage Seating
Leather
1940s English Chippendale Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wrought Iron
1920s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Birch, Plywood
1940s Swedish Vintage Seating
Wood
1940s French Vintage Seating
Walnut
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Wood
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Seating
Steel
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Elm
1920s French Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, 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
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.