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Mid-Century Modern Benches

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Le Jeune Upholstery Melina Bench Showroom Model in Velvet and Walnut
Located in Miami, FL
Le Jeune Upholstery Melina Bench Showroom Model in Velvet and Walnut Offered for sale is a MELINA B3.923 Bench showroom model. The bench is inspired by the designs of the mid-centur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

1960s Cherry Wood Legs and Light Green Velvet Benches, Set of 2
Located in IT
1960s Cherry Wood Legs and Green Velvet Benches, Set of 2 Set of 2 benches in cherry wood and green velvet. New paddings and Recently reupholstered...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools/Ottomans
Located in Wilmington, DE
Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools Offered is a Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools. This set includes two stools(we have...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Paul Láslzó Bench in Mahogany and Cane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul László for Glenn of California, bench or sofa, mahogany, cane, United States, 1950 This sofa or bench, a creation of Paul László, contains a well-preserved caned back and seat....
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Onda Bench by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
"Onda" is a moulded anatomic 3 seats and curved rosewood bench, the date of creation is 959. The aluminum feet contrasts with grain and veneers. This version is a newspaper holder fr...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Tournus Benches
Located in New York, NY
Large Tournus benches in enameled cast aluminum and bronze with newly upholstered tops. Price is for one.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum

French Stained Ash Curved Wooden Benches, Set of Two
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Primitive stained ash wooden benches, France 1970's. The set is constructed out of solid dark stained Ash wood with nice warm tones. Every single element is carved by hand, this caus...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Ash

Vintage Mucki Bench in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues, 1958, Brazilian Midcentury
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1958 by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) and manufactured by Oca, the Mucki bench is an incredible and versatile piece – ideal for different kinds ...
Category

1650s Antique Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Black Lacquered Durmast Oak Bench, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1930s. This bench is made in lacquered durmast oak. It is a vintage piece therefore it might show slight traces of use, but since it has been recently restored, it can...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Live Edge Solid Slab Coffee Table or Bench in the Style of George Nakashima
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible midcentury live edge or free edge solid slab coffee table or bench in the style of George Nakashima. It is in wonderful vintage condition with normal wear, circa 1950s-198...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Charlotte Perriand Cansado Bench, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This Charlotte Perriand Cansado bench is a rare and exceptional piece that was designed by the iconic French architect and designer Ch...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Milo Baughman Storage Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman Storage Bench, geometric designed patterned exterior with pop-up seats, concealing cedar-lined storage, bench seats reupholstered with mohair dimensions: 56" 17" deep 1...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Gerald McCabe Oak Trestle Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oak bench from American designer Gerald McCabe for Eon Furniture, c.1970s. The solid wood bench has a long seat with seat back perfect for a dining table, living room or entry way. P...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Architectural Harvey Probber Bench Low Etagere Console
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant architectural Harvey Probber bench etagere. Very thoughtful in all of the proportions and placements of forms. A fine example of Harvey Probber work. Probber craftsmanship is...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Modern Iron and Leather Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern iron and leather bench with a hammered iron modern tapered frame and box leather upholstered seat cushion. Dimensions 30" W x 14" D x ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

German Handmade Bench Made of Oak, Coated Steel and Handwoven Jute Belts
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The bench is made of a filigree construction of powder-coated steel. On this construction rests a frame of solid, lacquered oak tree, which is covered with handwoven stripes of fabri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Selection of Sculptural Stools
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of sculptural stools, circa 1960s or earlier. From left to right, they are: 1) Thebes Stool, probably English, at least circa 1940s, probab...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Bench, Cantilever, Mid Century, Walnut, Danish Cord, Weave, Hardwood, Semigood
Located in Issaquah, WA
Mid-century inspired, hardwood and woven Danish cord bench. This listing is for a 41.125" long Rian Cantilever Bench in Walnut with Kraft Danish Cord....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cord, Hardwood

Mid-Century 1950s French Bench Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet - Rush Seat
Located in Dorchester, GB
A 1950s rope bench in the style of French furniture designers Adrian & Frida Audoux-Minet. The bench features turned beech wood frame and original hand woven abaca rope seats and ba...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Rush, Wood

Early Pierre Chapo 'S38A’ Bench in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, bench, model 'S38A', elm, France, 1960s. This wonderful ‘S38A’ bench is designed by Pierre Chapo in the 1960s. A soft, warm all-over patina is visible on the wood of t...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Elm

Handsome X-Long Bench Harvey Probber style Walnut Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome X-long Harvey Probber style walnut bench. The original striped woven fabric still looks quite nice with only light signs of use. This piece measures 18.5"t x 73"l x 19.5"d
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pierre Gautier-Delaye Set of Table with Bench and Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Gautier-Delaye, set of table with bench and chairs, solid beech, France, 1950s Simplistic table with bench and chairs by French designer Pierre Gautier-Delaye. The sleek desi...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Beech

Mid-Century Modern Daybed or Bench in Teak and Black Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bench or daybed, faux leather, teak, Europe, 1960s This streamlined design is executed within a minimalist construction marked by clear, sharp lines and simple proportions. The seat...
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Faux Leather, Teak

English Midcentury Stool by John and Silvia Reid for Stag Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
This amazing vintage stool is part of the line designed by John and Sylvia Reid for British manufacturer 'Stag Furniture' in the 1950's. The stool...
Category

1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet, Oak

French Mid-Century Modern André Arbus Style Triangular Bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Mid-Century Modern André Arbus style triangular bench. This unusual bench, ottoman or poof has graceful tapered legs with brass sabots and is n...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Extra Long Contract Bench with Planter Box
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Extra Long Contract Bench with Planter Box This bench measures: 101 wide x 20.5 deep x 16.75 high All ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Long Bench
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description** Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relati...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Pair of Bedside Tables Nightstands Oak, Esko Pajamies for Asko Finland 1960s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Mid-Century Modern pair of nightstands by Finnish designer Esko Pajamies for Asko Finland. Made circa 1960s to 1970s. The nightstands are not identical but very similar. They are p...
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Coffee table - bench in rosewood, Swedish design
Located in PARIS, FR
A very beautiful coffee table – bench representative of modernist Scandinavian design. The graphic and clean lines make this table an elegant and timeless choice. Its sleek design an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Palisander

Mid-Century Splayed Leg Sculptural Bench W/ Button Detailing in Ebonized Walnut
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and well balanced Mid-Century Modernist Splayed Leg Sculptural bench W/Button Detailing in Ebonized Walnut W/ Silver Linear Fabric originates from the United States, Circ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Slim Profile Solid Walnut Frame Integrated leather Cushion 7.5' Long Bench
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Slim Profile Solid Walnut Frame Integrated leather Cushion 7.5' Long Bench MINT
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Zig Zag Benches in Lacquered Goatskin with Fur Seats 1970s
By Brancusi
Located in New York, NY
Pair of zig zag benches in lacquered goatskin with fur seats in the manner of Brancusi, American 1970's. These benches are beautifully made and incredibly stylish. Dimensions For E...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fur, Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer

Rare Prototype Leather Bench by Max Gottschalk
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The Max Gottschalk prototype bench is a striking fusion of industrial and natural elements. Crafted from supple leather, sturdy steel, and warm wood, it embodies both strength and so...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Dornbracht interior wooden slatted bench - Belgium
Located in Brussels , BE
Beautiful Dornbracht interior wooden slatted bench - Belgium Goes with any type of interior
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Brutalist "T-Bench" in the style of Olavi Hanninen, 1960's
Located in Brussels , BE
Brutalist "T-Bench" in the style of Olavi Hanninen,1960's
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Elm

Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar upholstered (half) and open mahogany (the other half) bench. Brass spacers, original fabric, circa 1970s.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Mahogany

Black Wood and Vienna Straw Bench, Italy 1960
Located in Naples, IT
Sofa/Bench made in Italy in the 1960s, with black-stained wood frame, Vienna straw back and original Missoni fabric seat.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Straw, Wood

Early Pierre Chapo Bench in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, bench, model 'S14A', solid elm, France, circa 1960 The elm bench is an exquisite creation designed by the renowned French designer, Pierre Chapo. Its rectangular top s...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Elm

Mid Century Wood Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic mid-century modern Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller was produced circa 2020. This mid century modern classic was first designed by George Nelson in the 1...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Maple

Restored 60s Bench Small
Located in Red Lion, PA
Italian Elegant bench fully refurbished, excellent condition with a newly upholstered seat. Italian Mid Century Modern 1960s
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Oscar Niemeyer "Marquesa" Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Oscar Niemeyer Marquesa Bench 1974 /2013 The precise curves of the Marquesa Bench carry the signature style of Oscar Niemeyer, who created this piece in collaboration with his daugh...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Free-Form Walnut Bench By Herbert Millstone After Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Southampton, NJ
A beautifully hand carved Freeform studio bench in solid walnut by master craftsman Herbert Millstone circa 1963. Millstone was known to host lunch parties for the likes of Paul Evan...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Ash, Walnut

Officina Rivadossi Oak Bench, Italy 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This Oak Officina Rivadossi bench is a breathtaking fusion of functionality and aesthetics that ceases attention in any setting. This bench goes beyond its practical purpose and tran...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Oak

Spanish Dark Oak Sideboard, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This is an exceptional Spanish brutalist sideboard with intricately carved squares on the door panels. Its dark stained wood finish gives it a sophisticated look that complements var...
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Oak

Van Keppel Green "VKG"Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Van Keppel Green "VKG" Outdoor/Indoor Bench 1955c. Custom made by California Living 2000c. Metal T legs with mesh top covered by 2" thick cushion' Dimensions: 72" long 18" deep 18.2...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Restored 60s Bench Large
Located in Red Lion, PA
Italian Elegant bench fully refurbished, excellent condition with a newly upholstered seat. Italian Mid Century Modern 1960s
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Arts & Crafts Style Custom Solid Varnished Walnut 54" Long Bench Shaker Style
By Shaker Style
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Arts & Crafts Style Custom Solid Varnished Walnut 54" Long Bench Shaker Style
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002. Classic and timeless, this George Nelson bench has just the right amount of 20+ years of great honey colored patina...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Birch

A parson style upholstered bench in the style of Milo Baughman, circa 1970s
Located in Houston, TX
A parson style upholstered bench in the style of Milo Baughman, circa 1970s. This bench has a buttoned pillow top with upholstered legs...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet

Red Leather 72" Bench by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
Located in Dronten, NL
What a bold statement! Not the obligatory black leather, this Florence Knoll 72" Bench for Knoll is executed in the most exquisite red spinneybeck leather. Classic Knoll Design, fits...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Minimalist Hand Carved Teak Wood Bench
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful single slab of teak wood taken from my finest collection is hand carved by our master carver to produce this impressive bench. The Mid-Century Couture Collection, feature...
Category

1950s Indonesian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Mid 20th Century Modern Model 400 Bench by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
Located in Brugge, BE
1960s Model 400 USA Teak and steel 38.5cm high, 167cm wide, 47cm deep Born in Italy in 1915, Harry Bertoia became a prominent sculptor and furniture designer in the United Stat...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Tandem Eames for Herman Miller for Three Shells and a Table Top
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Tandem Base and Table without shells. Show signs of use. 35 cm H incl the height of the bar of the base/ 40 incl the top of the seat support/ 42 cm incl the top of the table top su...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Topa Bench by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Topa bench features a handcrafted roundover frame and secured tufted cushion. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, California. Reach out to dis...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

1970s Vintage Ercol Love Seat Bench
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The Ercol loveseat is a representative of UK modernity and is still a popular brand founded by designer Lucian R. Ercolani in 1920. The smooth form of the seat, made of hard, bend-re...
Category

1970s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Beech, Elm

Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chaise Lounge by Craft Associates
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Chaise lounge designed by the American designer Adrian Pearsall. The structure of the cocktail lounge is made of walnut in a beautiful curved shape and covered in white chenille fabr...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Bouclé, Walnut

GP, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Bench, Pine, Sweden, 1978
Located in Stamford, CT
GP, Swedish Designer, Mid-Century Modern, Bench, Pine, Sweden, 1978 Mid-century modern bench designed and produced in Sweden in 1978. This example features an interesting carved apr...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Mid-century Modern benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern benches for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern benches made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include Stamford Modern, Carlos Solano-Granda, Lawson-Fenning, and Montage. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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