Seating
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
1990s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bentwood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Maple
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Late 20th Century Seating
Cotton
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1990s American Regency Seating
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Seating
Upholstery
1980s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Ash
1970s Italian Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s Finnish Organic Modern Vintage Seating
Fiberglass
Late 20th Century Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1980s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1990s Seating
Chrome
1980s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Walnut
1980s Chippendale Vintage Seating
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wrought Iron
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1970s French Provincial Vintage Seating
Cotton, Damask
1980s French Provincial Vintage Seating
Wood, Cotton
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
Late 20th Century American Modern Seating
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1950s Dutch Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1950s French Industrial Vintage Seating
Iron
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Fiberglass
1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
Late 20th Century Indonesian Organic Modern Seating
Wood, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Teak, Faux Leather
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Rope, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet
1950s Danish Art Deco Vintage Seating
Velvet, Wood
1950s European Other Vintage Seating
Wood
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1950s Vintage Seating
Naugahyde, Bamboo
1970s Space Age Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1950s French Louis XV Vintage Seating
Cane, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1970s Danish Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
Late 20th Century British Rustic Seating
Elm, Wood
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.