Seating
Mid-20th Century French Seating
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Seating
Textile
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating
Velvet, Wood, Wool
Mid-20th Century Seating
Cotton, Pine
20th Century Italian Seating
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
19th Century European Louis XV Antique Seating
Gold Leaf
1970s Vintage Seating
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Canvas, Beech
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Brutalist Seating
Leather, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Straw, Ash
1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1970s French Vintage Seating
Elm
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Ceramic, Fabric, Mirror, Oak
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Hardwood, Suede
Late 19th Century American American Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Velvet, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Oak, Lacquer
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wood
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Walnut
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Oak, Fabric
2010s Italian Seating
Textile
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Papercord, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Oak, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bouclé, Wood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Naugahyde, Rosewood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Oak
1960s French Vintage Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Brass
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Foam, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Sycamore
19th Century French Rococo Antique Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Seating
Plastic
1920s American Industrial Vintage Seating
Steel, Iron
1980s European Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Rattan, Beech
2010s Italian Post-Modern Seating
Brass
1980s American Vintage Seating
Fabric
Late 19th Century Hungarian Rustic Antique Seating
Pine
Mid-20th Century Seating
Textile
1970s Italian Vintage Seating
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Teak
2010s South African Minimalist Seating
Hardwood, Oak
1980s Italian Vintage Seating
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Faux Leather
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.
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.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.