Evoking rusticity and relaxation through simple and elegant designs, vintage Adirondack furniture originated in the Adirondack Mountains of northeastern New York. The most famous piece is the Adirondack chair, which dates to 1903.
With its ample armrests and sturdy but comfortable slanted seat, the reclined Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee for his own country home. The postwar golden age of modern patio and garden furniture production — led by the likes of Brown Jordan, Knoll, Salterini and Woodard — was decades away at the time, and there were few pieces of furniture specifically created for outdoor use.
Lee, a Massachusetts-born Harvard graduate raised in a wealthy family, was no furniture designer. He merely needed a durable, rugged chair for afternoons in the sun while he was vacationing on Lake Champlain in Westport, New York, in the summer. The amateur woodworker used just one wooden plank cut into 11 segments that were jointed together for his now-legendary seat, which is said to have been made of hemlock, hickory or basswood.
The story of the Adirondack chair continues with Lee’s friend, carpenter Harry Bunnell, covertly patenting the chair and going on to produce it as the Westport Plank chair for a growing audience over the next two decades. Over a century later, the Adirondack chair has gone through several design evolutions while maintaining its popularity and basic form with slats of wood such as pine offering comfort both indoors and out.
The widespread demand for rustic Adirondack outdoor furniture was bolstered by the turn-of-the-century establishment of rural escapes to treat diseases such as tuberculosis. The low-slung Adirondack chair became common in these places of convalescence, allowing patients to recline and breathe in the country air. It also complemented the camp-style architecture that was prevalent in the Adirondacks for recreation as well as restoration, where rugged furniture with exposed wood and minimal carving filled interiors and wide porches.
Today, Adirondack chairs are made in a range of materials and can be found around the world, from ski resorts to lakeside piers, their durability and classic form making them an enduring favorite for spending time in nature.
Find vintage Adirondack chairs, benches, lounge chairs, decorative objects, folk art and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Rod-Back Birdcage Windsor Bench Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
1990's American Windsor Rod- back bench or settee with mortis & tenon joinery in the Birdcage style. Faux bamboo turnings combine traditional Windsor construction with Asian desi...
Wood
$716Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pair of Primitive Green Painted Benches with Backs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of primitive country benches. Early c1900 painted green that has been distressed over the years. Very solid, not wobbly, normal age related wear. Would make great plant...
Pine, Paint
Vintage Faux Bois 3 Piece Cast Stone Adirondack Garden Bench
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Lovely faux bois garden bench with cast stone or concrete slab seat and two cast base legs. 3 pieces in total. Nicely appointed with wonderful rustic patina. Heavy.
Cast Stone
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Plank Wood Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Ranch House or farm house plank seat bench found on a porch in Texas.This bench is thick and very sturdy.
Wood
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
1940s Hand Made Rustic Benches Found In Texas Famrhouse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc farmhouse benches that came from a farm house in Texas. This pair are built strong and are in sturdy condition. Wonder-full matching pair with an old stain finish.
Wood
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
19Thc Original Grey Painted Farm Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original grey painted farm bench with rose head nails & cut nails.This fine sturdy bench has wonderful simple lines.
Wood
$1,895Sale Price|24% Off
Rustic Hand Made Adirondack Banquette Style Bench Circa 1940s
Located in Peabody, MA
An unusual rustic Adirondack style banquette bench, fashioned in the late 1940s for a New Hampshire lakeside retreat. It is constructed of individual split pine logs, joined in paral...
Pine, Paint
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Barley Twist Bench/ Stool With Leather Cushion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20thc barley twist stool or bench with a leather seat cushion on the top of the bench. Wonderful construction and wonderful age. This twisted legged bench with a wonderful stai...
Leather, Wood
Antique Mixed Wood Children’s L Shaped Corner Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique L-shaped School Bench with hardwood slats and pine uprights. The bench with slatted back, center divided support. Dimensions: 31 1/2" H, footprint - 64" x 52" and 13 3/4" H....
Wood
Rustic Country House Bench
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
Created solely out of teak branches these are fabulous and totally unique country house style garden seats of grand proportions. Please note we are currently working to a 30-36 week...
Teak
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Small Bucket Bench from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc early original small bucket bench in fine condition. This sturdy bench has a worn or aged patina.
Wood
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
19Thc Original Red Painted Rounded Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original red painted rounded farm bench from Pennsylvania. The condition is very good and has amazing cut outs.
Wood
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Rustic Bamboo Rattan Bent Wood Adirondak Tree Branch Bench Settee
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage rustic log cabin / farmhouse / adirondak / tree branch style bench or settee. Made of bamboo and rattan featuring bentwood style and slatted back. Dimensions: 40"h x 50" x ...
Bamboo
1970s Outsider Artist Country Solid Slab Bench with Marquetry Barn Scene
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Experience the beauty and craftsmanship of this 1970s Outside Artist Country Solid Slab Bench. Handcrafted and featuring a stunning marquetry barn scene, th...
Wood
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
19th C Original Painted Farmhouse Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Original painted farmhouse bench.
Wood
French Provincial Bench, Mahogany & Linen, Brass Nailheads, 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming petite French Provincial style bench that is newly upholstered in Belgium linen and detailed with brass nailheads.
Brass
19th Century Bench
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Chinese bench. A special black lacquered antique Elm wood bench circa 1800. A waisted (refers to specific Chinese furniture construction & joinery) raised top set on frame with hump back stretchers and struts. A most sensational patina of black lacquer worn through to the wood showcases the benches elegant presence and raw beauty. This is an original piece with a 200 plus year history. The raw top is worn silk like smooth from age and use. The reaming black lacquer is thick having an alligatored rustic patina. The construction is solid and strong. Feet having scroll key detail carved to faces with wear prevalent to the bottom of the feet. The humpback struts show ware from one side being more evident then on the other side, more lacquer remains covering one strut. A very significant Antique Chinese Bench...
Elm
$8,075
H 29.14 in W 74.81 in D 24.41 in
Danish Cabinetmaker Frederik Stærmose Sofa Bench in Teakwood & Cane, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A refined and highly versatile Danish Modern bench designed by master cabinetmaker Frederik Stærmose, executed in the 1940s. Crafted from beautifully patinated solid Bangkok teakwood...
Cane, Teak
$1,900
H 43 in W 55 in D 19.75 in
Midcentury Transitional Modern Spindle Back Bentwood Settee Bench in Black
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A modern yet traditional spindle back bench from the 1960s. It is very well made from solid wood and finished in black satin lacquer.
Wood
19th Century French Bench
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a 19th century French farm table bench, beautiful patina at age these are great for tables but so many times they're used in mudroom or hallways. DIMENSIONS 83ʺW × 9ʺD × 17ʺH
Hardwood
19th Century Mahogany Bench
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant 19th century mahogany bench from England covered with charming fabric in the chesterfield buttoned style lovely unusual bench since it is smal...
Mahogany
Rustic Painted Hoop Back Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Windsor style rustic painted hoop back bench with a triple arched back with turned slats and arms and turned uprights, the shaped seat above turned s...
Wood
$850
H 16 in W 43 in D 16 in
Vintage Classical Style Cast Stone Double Pedestal Curved Garden Bench Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Classical Style Cast Stone Concrete Double Pedestal Curved Garden Bench Seat. *Currently 3 available. Price is per bench. Slight variatio...
Concrete
19thC French Oak Bank Waiting Bench
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 19thC French Oak Bank Waiting Bench, the matching Counter is also available separately Ideal for a hotel reception or Lobby, restaurant etc Pr...
Oak
Old Hickory Barrel-Back Settee
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Chireno, TX
Old Hickory barrel-back settee with a bent hickory frame and a woven splint seat and back. Note: Regional differences in humidity and climate during shipp...
Hickory
$2,410Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.13 in W 35.44 in D 16.15 in
Italian Vintage Modernist Brutalist Style Solid Wood High Back Settee Benches
Located in Firenze, IT
This vintage Mid-Century Modern period solid wood banquette settee was probably a chapel pews benches. These original and rare high back seatings str...
Metal
19th Century Hungarian Original Hand Painted Peg-Leg Oak Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Hungarian oak peg-leg bench featuring carved arms and back support, with splayed peg legs typical of European country furniture. The original painted finish is highly di...
Oak, Paint
Adirondack Hickory Long Bench with Binder Cane Seat
Located in Savannah, GA
This unique long bench is constructed of sturdy hickory with a durable seat made from binder cane, the glossy peel/bark of the rattan palm. Wide binder cane is rounded on the top and...
Cane, Hickory
Old Hickory Bench From Pennsylvania W/ Leather Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky 19thc old hickory bench comes to us from a farm in Pennsylvania.We had upholstered in vintage leather from a old leather sofa.Very cool an...
Leather, Hickory
20Thc Garden Bench W/ Bird Cut Out
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This most unusual metal sage green painted porch or outdoor garden bench is in fine condition and has bird cutouts.It is in sturdy and strong condition.
Metal
Pair of Blue painted Picnic Benches
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Blue painted park benches or picnic benches in fantastic sturdy condition.These benches are blue over red painted surface.Both are in very good c...
Wood
19Thc Original Blue Painted Farm House Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original sky blue farmhouse bench.Could be called a bucket bench. Fine sturdy condition.
Pine
19Thc Original Powder Blue Farmhouse Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original blue painted farmhouse bench from Pennsylvania.This sturdy water bench has fantastic cut out legs. Great form and color.
Wood
Early 20th Century West African "Senufo" Tribe Carved Bed Bench
By Senufo
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den or game room with this elegant antique tribal bench. Hand carved in western Africa, and attributed to the Senufo tribe, the bench is naturally curved and stands on two...
Hardwood
Hickory Bench With Plank Seat From A Ranch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fun and folky hand made hickory bench has a wonderful plank top and thick hickory legs. The top of the bench has a nice worn patina.
Wood
19th Century Farm Plank Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Plank seat bench from a farm house in Pennsylvania in good sturdy condition. This hand made bench is mortised through the top and hand ca...
Wood
19th Century Handmade Bench/Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handmade 19th century pine bench. Mortised on each side with peg construction. Finger holes in center of the stool. Great study condition.
Wood
19th C Child's Bench with Red Woven Splint Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th C child's bench with red woven splint seat.
Wood
Old Hickory Stool with a Herringbone Rattan Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old hickory stool with a Herringbone rattan seat. Stool is very strong. Good condition.
Hickory