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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
Color:  Black
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

Mid Century Leather Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid century style leather bench with a top grain brown boxed and tufted leather cushion seat on a simple stainless steel four-leg base. Dimensions: 64" W x 20" D x 18" H Color ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather

German Handmade Bench Made of Blackened Oak, Coated Steel and Black 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

Brass, Steel

Tandem Sling by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, Four-Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ray and Charles Eames were commissioned to design the perfect utilitarian seating for the first international airports in 1962, created for comfort and convenience. For the modern-da...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum

Custom Upholstered Mohair Long Bench
Located in New York, NY
Custom integrated leg mohair midcentury style bench, in rich dark charcoal mohair, with buttons and seaming. With chrome legs. This bench was made custom for local designer, was ord...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

Paul McCobb Planner Group Five Foot Black Bench, Coffee Table
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, Planner Group Black Bench, Coffee Table. Featuring a rectangular black lacquered solid wood form with reinforced and splayed solid turned legs. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

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

Crescent Bench Polished Brass by Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
The Crescent Bench by Carlos Solano for Stamford Modern a remarkable blend of elegance, stability, and artistic craftsmanship. This exquisite bench is designed to enhance any space w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Beautiful Mid-Century Navy Leather Bench Chrome Frame Style of Florence Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern navy blue leather bench chrome frame style of Florence Knoll. Very clean 1960s bench. Made in USA. Very High Quality co...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Walnut and Black Leather Ojai Bench by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Ojai bench features a solid white oak or solid walnut base and a tufted leather cushion with leather straps. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angel...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Vintage Woodard Outdoor Iron Loveseat/Bench
Located in Wilmington, DE
Vintage Woodard Outdoor Metal Loveseat/Bench Offered is a Vintage Woodard Outdoor Metal Loveseat/Bench. This bench has been repainted Black. The bench is ready to use condition. We ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Glossy Tufted Kelly Green Upholstered Stools, Set of Three
Located in Garnerville, NY
A set of three glossy and bright kelly green tufted vinyl seat benches or stools with squared aluminum legs. circa 1970. Could also possibly be used as ottomans. Great styled together giving a long bench affect or used separately as a distinctly common element through an entire room or home. A wonderful pop of color. Original vinyl upholstery. Good overall condition with new black cambric bottoms. All plastic...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman-Style Blue Chrome Bench
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a gorgeous mid century modern style chrome bench with blue upholstery. In good used condition, shows minor surface wear/scratches on chrome. Upholstery is in excellent con...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Vittorio Dassi Italian Modern Walnut and Black Leather Upholstered Long Bench
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Italian Modern walnut bench in sculptural form features a 3-row frame with rounded edges, rectangular seat cushion upholstered in black leather, standing on 4 short conica...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood, Upholstery

Chrome waterfall Bench by Design Institute America
Located in Denton, TX
Waterfall chrome bench with three separate upholstered pads by DIA.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Midcentury Gilt Iron Ottomans
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of midcentury gilt iron ottomans. This beautiful pair of gilt ottomans, benches or stools with a knot design were taken down to the frame a...
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal, Iron

Bella Burnt Orange Waterfall Stool, One in SF
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measures: W27.25 D19.5 H18.5 No floor models currently available. 2 week turnaround time. Custom Made waterfall stool done in a velvet fabric. We make these custom in store...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Velvet

French Modern Black Lacquer Bench, Jacques Quinet
Located in New York, NY
French Modern Black Lacquer Bench, Jacques Quinet.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Rare No. 33 Sofa by Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Seldom seen 3-seat version of an iconic design by Florence Knoll.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet

Black Enameled Steel Slat Bench or Low Coffee Table, USA 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Steel slat bench made of welded steel bars, enameled in black.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard Sculptura Outdoor Mesh Iron Lounge Chair
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Russell woodard sculptura outdoor wrought iron bench Offered is a vintage outdoor bench by Russell Woodard 'Sculptura'. It ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

French 1960s Rene Prou Style White Painted Iron & Black Leather Daybed or Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
French 1960s white painted iron and black leather daybed or bench, newly upholstered in 2022 and not used since. The rolled bolster style arms are fully covered in black leather and ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Original George Nelson early long slat bench in ebonized Birch Wood designed in the 1950s and manufactured by Herman Miller. Great for a Hallway Bench where Kids can change Shoes an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Birch

Mid-Century Charles & Ray Eames Tandem Seating for Herman Miller
Located in Beirut, LB
Iconic three-shell seating tandem by Charles & Ray Eames, black fiberglass shells on an aluminium base with a white side table attached, labeled on bottoms.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Large Italian Gio Ponti Style Curved Bench with Brass Legs
Located in Houston, TX
Large Italian Gio Ponti style curved bench with brass legs. Large Italian curved bench with splayed brass legs. This stunning Italian modern Gio Po...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard Sculptura Outdoor Wrought Iron Ottoman/Stool
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard sculptura outdoor wrought iron ottoman/stool Offered is a vintage outdoor ottoman by Russell Woodard 'Sculptura'. It has a wrought-iron frame wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Pair Florence Knoll or MCM Style Brown Leather Benches on Chromed Steel Bases
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In the classic and simple International Style that the famous Florence Knoll made popular worldwide, a pair of elegant modern benches. Constructed of bright chromed steel, topped wit...
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Vintage Leopard Vanity Stool Brass Accents
Located in North York, ON
Vintage Leopard vanity stool brass accents. Original 1970's Mid-Century Modern design with sleek satin black metal frame with brass accents. Completed ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Black Solid Wood Bench with split tapered legs
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-Century Modern black solid wood bench with split tapered legs. In the style of Dunbar Furniture. Nice Design good sized Bench. Seat height is 15" Made in USA - Located In Brookly...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hardwood

1970s Black Leather and Chrome Steel Daybed Bench
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This oversized bench is more like a daybed, you can use it as either really. Would be beautiful on a focal wall with a massive piece of deserving art pl...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Italian Vintage Bench with Black Leather Seats
Located in Milano, IT
The vintage bench is of fine Italian manufacture and it is original from the 50s. It’s a multidirectional bench because the three seats can be placed to ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood

Michel Boyer Style Mid-Century Modern Footstools, Stainless Steel, Black Leather
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Michel Boyer Style Rouve Edition 'X' stools in a brushed stainless steel with a black leather cushion. These impressive Mid-Century Modern benches are simply stunning. The st...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cut Steel

Bench Pouffe with Box, Green Boucle, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Pouffe inspired of 1960s style. The pouffe consist of an upholstered part, a seat and box under the seat, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was designed by Vintola Studio...
Category

2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé

Vintage Brayton International Black Leather Bench
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Brayton International black leather bench. circa 1970s. Black leather upholstery on ebonized ash frame and chrome legs. Measures: 83...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Ash

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Coffee Table or Bench, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern coffee table or bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch Measures: 60"...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Douglas Deeds for Architectural Fiberglass Blue Bench
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Douglas Deeds for Architectural Fiberglass, bench, fiberglass, United States of America, 1960s Sculptural fiberglass bench designed by Douglas Deeds f...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fiberglass

Mid Century Style X Frame Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid Century style X frame stool with a boxed upholstered seat cushion and a verdigris bronze finish iron X frame base. Dimensions: 24" W x 18.5" D x 17" H Shown in Armory-UP519...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Pair Stellar Museum Scale Quality Leather Suede Chrome Benches
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible pair of Charles Maison Inspired, glamours museum scale and quality benches. Of the highest construction & materials. Mirror like chrome finish that is likely triple pla...
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Mogensen Style Large Dutch Armless Oak Slat Back Bench with Black Skai Cushions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large armless oak slat bench with original black skai cushion, reminiscent of the J103 Sofa by Børge Mogensen. Can be used with or without back cushions. Beautifully built. Heavy and...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Faux Leather, Oak

Custom Florence Knoll Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Florence Knoll Bench USA 2017 leather, steel Measures: 48 W x 19.5 D x 16.75 H inches. Custom sized Florence Knoll bench in a custom flat steel finish with leather upholster...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

2 French Hammered Wrought Iron Benches / Side Tables in the Style of Giacometti
By (after) Jean Michel Frank, Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in New York, NY
2 Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Style Hand Wrought and Hand Hammered Iron Benches or Side / End Tables in the style of Alberto and Diego Giacometti. The benches / tables are comp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair, Pierre Guariche French Black Benches Steel & Distressed Faux Leather 1960
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Pierre Guariche French black benches or stools in steel & distressed faux leather 1960 designed. Hand stitched Faux Leather with rivets decoration. In all original distress...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Trio of Square Upholstered Stools in Emerald Velvet and Pecan Probber Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This trio of stools have been lovingly reupholstered in a wonderful emerald velvet that enhances the beauty of the pecan wood base. These stools have casters that you can keep or I'l...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet

Set of custom ordered Florence Knoll Benches
Located in Houston, TX
Florence Knoll Pair of benches USA 1954 leather, steel Measures: 48 W x 19.5 D x 16.75 H inches Pair of custom-sized Florence Knoll benches in a custom flat steel finish wit...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Vintage Geometric Wrought Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage geometric wrought iron bench. This stunning heavy weight midcentury iron modernist bench has been professionally upholstered in a stunning plush geometric cut velvet fabric. This versatile bench is perfect for a hall, living area...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Black Painted Metal Bench
Located in New York, NY
Black painted metal bench, with shaped rectangular pierced seat supported by scrolling arms and legs 20" H x 27" W x 17" D x 15.5" Seat
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Iconic Pair of French Colonial Stools, French Indochina, 1930
Located in New York, NY
A sober and elegant pair of French Colonial stools / benches from the former colony of French Indochina. These pieces embrace a clean, modern aestheti...
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian Heavy Chrome Plated and Velvet Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Italian heavy chrome plated and velvet benches. These benches are upholstered in beautiful blue velvet fabric. Exceptional quality and gr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Black Lacquered Wood, Brass & Cane Seating Bench Mid-Century Modern Asian Style
Located in Miami, FL
Chinoiserie inspired Mid-Century Modern rectangular seating bench in Black Lacquer. The Bench features a wooden frame with woven cane backrest. The legs have brass covers. Completely...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Oversized Vinyl Bench or Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern bench features splayed metal legs and an overstuffed cushion on top. A simple, yet stylish design, that easily fits into any scheme. This versatile piece can function as a small daybed...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Paul McCobb Brass X-Form Leather Bench
Located in Hanover, MA
Solid brass square bar x-form bench seat by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture with black leatherette upholstered seat with raised sides and inset brass trimmed handles. 26" H X 28 1/2...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Black Tufted Canvas Museum Bench by Metropolitan Furniture, 1986
Located in Miami, FL
Museum bench with newly upholstered heavy black canvas fabric on square tubular chrome frame by Metropolitan Furniture, 1986.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Mid Century Modern X Frame Benches
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful pair of button tufted benches with x frames in chromed steel. Faux leather vinyl is in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Chrome is also excellent with adjustab...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Vintage Midcentury Italian Iron Stool with Greek Key Embroidered Cushion
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian iron stool from the mid 20th century, with Greek Key embroidered cushion and scrolling accents. We currently have two available, priced and sold $3,750 each. Create...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Arthur Umanoff for Madison Furniture Mid Century Modular 2 Seater Bench
Located in Countryside, IL
Arthur Umanoff for Madison Furniture mid century modular 2 seater bench Bench measures: 65 wide x 23 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 19 inch...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Modern X-Base Upholstered Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish modern upholstered bench. Sturdy X-frame chrome base. The padded seat is covered in a black tufted faux-leather upholstery. A nice piece that is sure to compliment any modern...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Brass Ottoman Footstool
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Only 1 available. Fabulous satin brass ottoman - footstool- bench. Reupholstered in a vintage style 1960s weave fabric with fabulous coloring that contrasts greatly with the brass. S...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Set of Two Benches by AP-Originals, the Netherlands, 1960's
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Metal benches with new black leather upholstery and new filling by AP originals. Marked at the bottom.
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

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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