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.
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
Rod-Back Birdcage Windsor Bench Settee, Nichols & Stone Style
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
A Pair Of Aluminum Twig Upholstered Benches By Bernhardt 2017
By Bernhardt
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of aluminum "twig" upholstered benches by Bernahrdt, North Carolina, USA, custom made in 2017.
Aluminum
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
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
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
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
19th C Original Painted Farmhouse Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Original painted farmhouse bench.
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
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
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
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
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
Adirondack Porch Bench and Side Table
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Vintage one of a kind Adirondack porch bench and side table. Hand crafted of lodge pole. Made and used in the Adirondacks and moved to a Colorado mountain home. Both sculptural and i...
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
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
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benches or Settees
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot benches or settees inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass ...
Wood
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
Brazilian Designer, Bench, Wood, Brazil, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizable wood bench designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1940s. In all original condition with lively wear and patina. Overall Dimensions (inches): 18.2"H x 98.625"W x 19.85"D All...
Wood
Pair of Upholstered Velvet and Brass X-Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of upholstered velvet and brass X-benches. The benches have brass frames and green velvet upholstery.
Brass
$1,900
H 32.5 in W 47.5 in D 19.25 in
Midcentury Transitional Modern Spindle Back Bentwood Settee Bench in Walnut
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A modern yet traditional spindle back bench from the 1960s. Great petite size. It is very well made from solid walnut. Clean ready to use condition.
Walnut
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Bench or Settee
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted bench or settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Blue velvet cushion newly upholstered . Available also a pair .
Wood
GiIO PONTI - Walnut bench, pink velvet - Made in ITALY 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
GIO PONTI - Beautiful and elegant bench to be included in both modern and vintage decor . Sturdy and in perfect condition with its original rose-colored velvet upholstery , . Made in...
Nutwood, Velvet
$3,690
H 17.5 in W 16.5 in D 71 in
Reclaimed Teak Wooden Bench in Rustic Style, Hand-Carved, Indonesia
Located in Jacksonville Beach, FL
Reclaimed Wooden Bench Ancient fallen timbers are forged by hand to create a statement bench. This bench has been mended back to life through diligent craftsmanship and refinement. ...
Teak, Reclaimed Wood
$7,811
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
$10,516Sale Price|25% Off
H 35.04 in W 71.66 in D 18.12 in
Italian Bench / Settee with Wall Hanging Back, Italy, 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Spectacular Italian bench / settee with wall hanging back, Italy, 1950.
Upholstery, Wood
Pair 19thC English Pine Chapel Benches
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1880 Pair 19thC English Pine Chapel Benches in original finish Price per pair (vat qualifying ) Measures: W 184 x D 31 x H 77 cm Seat height 43...
Pine
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
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