Seating
1940s French Brutalist Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Seating
Fabric, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Velvet, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Hardwood
2010s North American Modern Seating
Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Seating
Textile, Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Vintage Seating
Fabric
Early 2000s German Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Gustavian Seating
Muslin, Wood
Mid-20th Century German Primitive Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Seating
Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Linen, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal, Brass
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Pine
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Italian Brutalist Vintage Seating
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Oak
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Straw, Beech
1950s European Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
Early 2000s Swedish Post-Modern Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Birch
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Beech
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Seating
Plastic
2010s Modern Seating
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Seating
Fabric, Kingwood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Birch
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Cane, Rattan, Teak
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
2010s Seating
Leather, Oak
2010s Seating
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Teak
1950s Italian Vintage Seating
String, Beech
1950s French Brutalist Vintage Seating
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
1930s French Vintage Seating
Rush, Wood
1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bentwood
1960s French Vintage Seating
Rush, Wood
1950s British Chesterfield Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1940s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s British Modern Seating
Cotton, Beads
1950s Vintage Seating
Metal
2010s Portuguese Louis XIV Seating
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Down, Feathers, Silk
Mid-20th Century American Seating
Aluminum
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1960s French Minimalist Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Teak
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Canvas, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Seating
Fabric, Bamboo
2010s French 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.