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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 celebrated 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.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Custom Settee
Located in Denton, TX
This assemblage of three chairs into a settee with bentwood arms was custom ordered by Stephens Financial for their office in Michigan. New upholstery may be desired.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Ash, Rosewood

Classic Minimalist Rosewood and Steel Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Minimalist vintage bench or coffee table. Solid steel and rosewood, heavy and well made, circa 1960s. Rosewood top has a nice patina and bookmatched graining.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Rosewood

77" Pax Bench by Gary L. Lee
By Gary Lee
Located in Pasadena, TX
By Cumberland Furniture 77" Pax Bench by Gary L. Lee The Pax minimalist bench features two stainless steel angles at each end that are mitered into ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

77" Pax Bench by Gary L. Lee
77" Pax Bench by Gary L. Lee
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid Century Slatted Wood & Iron Park Garden Porch Bench
Located in West Chester, PA
Mid century park bench with green painted wood slats over iron frame. Mounted to later wood feet which can easily be removed to accommodate your...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Wonderful Transitional Chrome Velvet Stool Nickel Bamboo Jansen Bench
Located in Roslyn, NY
Perfect seating for the transitional or Classic rooms, this chrome / nickel stool with purple velvet fabric top done in bamboo chinoiserie design are so versatile that can be used in...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

Sculptural Solid Oak Bench with Club Legs, Europe 20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
European designers of the 20th century often took inspiration in the beauty of the natural world, translated into their use of organic elements in interior spaces. This sculptural oa...
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Wood and metal slatted bench
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Wood and metal slatted bench, Italian made, mid-century. Black-painted metal frame with slender legs and essential lines, seat made of exposed wooden slats, giving it an understated ...
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

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

Pair Of French Black Mid-Century Benches With Brass Accents By Jacques Tournus
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French black Mid-Century benches by Jacques Tournus, featuring cast aluminum bases with circular brass medallions, and newly upholstered squared seats in striped black and charcoal gray fabric interspersed with gold threads. The best of of Mid-Century style with a nod to Neo-classical design, these stylish and sleek stools...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Antonio Citterio Esosoft Benches For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Benches For Cassina A living room system designed to define the domestic landscape in a fluid, flexible manner. The first project designed by Antonio Citter...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric

Antonio Citterio Esosoft Benches For Cassina
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Benches For Cassina
$15,980 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Straccio 3 seater sofa by De Pass, D’Urbino, Lomazzi for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
Located in Oirlo, LI
The Straccio Sofa was designed by J. De Pass, Donato D’Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi and produced by Zanotta, an Italian company founded in 1954 and a reference in avant-garde design. A v...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Suede

François Monnet Bench Stainless Steel and Tufted Faux Leather
Located in Miami, FL
A rare François Monnet bench, stainless steel and white leather. French Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship.
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Gilt Wrought Iron Base Beige Tufted Leather Upholstery Window Hall Bench MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Silver Gilt Wrought Iron Base Beige Tufted Leather Upholstery Window Hall Bench MINT.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

Vintage English Midcentury Goldenrod Painted Wooden Bench with Black Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English vintage painted wooden bench from the mid-20th century, with cylindrical armrests and faux bamboo legs. Born in England during ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Custom Made Quality Contemporary Calf Hide Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made and solid feeling bench/ottoman. A rectangular bench In medium brown calf hide, raised on wide deep walnut stained block feet. The seat made separately from the base...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cowhide

Friis and Moltke Nordsee Bench Pine For One Collection
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Friis and Moltke Nordsee Bench Pine For One Collection The Nordsø Series was originally designed in 1976 and consists of benches, both with and without backrests, and long tables c...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Blue Iroko Wood Low Bench by Giorgio Armani for Armani Casa, Italy, 1990
Located in Renens, CH
This elegant and impressive bench has been designed by Giorgio Armani in the spirit of Jean Michel Frank, the iconic French designer who nowadays is still considered as the master of...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Set of Two ( 2 ) Modular Benches Kissing Benches in Rosewood Laminate, c. 1950's
Located in Deland, FL
Introduce a piece of mid-century modern history into your home with this set of two early modular benches. Made in the 1950s by American Furniture, also known as American of Martinsv...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Bodil Kjaer Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Denmark, Bodil Kjaer bench in leather (Re-Edition).
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Series 8600 bench, Kusch & Co
Located in Neuss, NW
Rare bench from the series 8600 by Hans-Ullrich Bitsch for Kusch & Co from the 1980s. High-quality chromed metal frame with with black lacquered metal backrest, eat and table top. Q...
Category

1980s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Stools / Benches Attributed to Andre Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical benches or stools with needlepoint seats attributed to Andre Arbus. The benches are in the curile form with and an X-frame leg structure.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hardwood

ARC Bench Series 48 in Special Walnut
Located in Westport, CT
A sculptural bench defined by its gracefully arched legs and clean, modern lines. Designed for both form and function, the ARC Bench offers a striking profile while maintaining every...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller George Nelson Style Coffee Cocktail Table Bench
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller George Nelson slat style brass and ebony coffee table or slat bench. Clean and sweet side or coffee cocktail table with a slat top and Formica side s...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Pair of small benches - Spain 1960
Located in Girona, Girona
Pair of small benches in solid beech with gilded shellac finish. Upholstered with ivory curly fabric (comfort foam refurbished). Manufacturer’s label “Jelm S.L” in Olot – Spain. Spa...
Category

1860s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Mid-Century Ivory Color Console Table by Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage-Modern ivory console table by Karl Springer. Long sculpted sturdy form, perfect for living room use. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Acrylic

Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Hand Carved Natural Teak Wood Bench
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the Mid-Century Couture Collection, featuring our unique minimalist carving. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. Beautiful reclaimed teak wood taken from ...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Tufted Bench
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern tufted bench with a walnut base. Newly upholstered.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Brutalist Bench Solid Pine Sculptural
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Unique Brutalist bench made in pine.
Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Ico Parisi Sofa Model 865
Located in New York, NY
Ico Parisi Sofa Model 865. Enameled metal and upholstery. Manufacture: Figli di Amedeo Cassina Lit: Roberta Lietti: Ico Parisi Design - Catalogue R...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Ico Parisi Sofa Model 865
Ico Parisi Sofa Model 865
$27,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Harry Bertoia Midcentury Slat Bench by for Knoll International, USA, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist ashwood slatted bench with an Y-shaped iron base from the 1960s. Designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll INternational. Restored, in very good condition. A multipur...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

2 French Hammered Wrought Iron Benches / Side Tables in the Style of Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti, (after) Jean Michel Frank
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 Giacom...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Linear Bench in Black Ceruse Series 48 by Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern Legend, Edward Wormley "The Linear Bench" embodies modern minimalism with clean lines and a sturdy metal stretcher. Explor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

TH Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb X base button tufted leather bench
Located in Ferndale, MI
Really nice example of my favorite Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb bench . Walnut X base nicely upholstered in a vintage cream tone leather . One or two minor blemishes on the leathe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Walnut

French Modern Neoclassical Gilt Iron Vanity Stool / Bench, Gilbert Poillerat
Located in New York, NY
2 elegant and timeless French modern neoclassical gilt iron stools or benches attributed to Gilbert Poillerat. The pieces of a wood and upho...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Arno Lambrecht für WK Möbel Streben Bank Buche Holz Geflecht, Deutschland 1950s
Located in Reutlingen, DE
Wunderschöne und seltene Massivholz Streben-Sitzbank mit Armlehnen von Arno Lambrecht für WK-Möbel aus massivem Buchenholz und Binsengeflecht Sitzauflagen den 1950er Jahren. Design...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cane, Beech

Crescent Bench Series 60 in 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

Organic Solid Top Coffee Table or Bench Live Edge
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nicely built organic shape coffee table or bench. Nice thick solid wood top.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Benches Mod. 5272 by Borge Mogensen
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Denmark, 1950s Manufactured by Fredericia Furniture Oak wood, rattan
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Rattan, Oak

West Michigan Furniture Mid Century Walnut Bench
Located in Countryside, IL
West Michigan Furniture Mid Century Walnut Bench This bench measures: 48 wide x 18 deep x 16.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage con...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Marcel Pouf SD by Kazuhide Takahama Paradisoterrestre Edition
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1965 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2018 Materials: shaped polyurethane, polished aluminum brackets, removable wool fabric manufactured by Kvadrat or chenille velvet fabric...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum

Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen Bench by Næstved Møbler in Denmark
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning example of mid-century Danish design, the Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen Bench by Næstved Møbler blends elegance, comfort, and practicality in a way only Scandinavian ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Italian Mid-Century Rare Italian Benches in Wood and Bouclé
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous pair of benches from the 1950s of fine Italian manufacture. The fabric has been replaced with a beautiful soft snow-white bouclé. The main frame is made entirely of durable ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Sleek Black Leather Bench Designed by Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Clean lined bench designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Newly upholstered black leather seat; tufting and piping add visual interest. With conical gold legs. Perfect for extra...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

1970s Harry Bertoia design birch wood Slat Bench wrought iron base by Knoll
Located in London, GB
This is a vintage Harry Bertoia designed Slat Bench in birch wood and wrought iron feet by Knoll , ca. 1970s Stamped.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Beech

1960s Organic Bench
Located in New York, NY
1960s organic bench. Solid walnut bench with dovetails. Can also be used as a coffee table.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Contemporary Modern Window Bench by Jonathan Adler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning Mid-Century Modern style window bench in the style of Paul McCobb features unique tapered and splayed legs. Stylish design with plush white tufted upholstery and thick padde...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Midcentury Upholstered Bench with Storage Compartment
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish midcentury bench with upholstered seating and backrests, plus sleek chrome supports and sled legs. The bench's seat lifts up to reveal a storage compartment...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Bench And Side Chair In Cherry Wood And Off-White Upholstery, Italy 1950's
Located in Hellouw, NL
This set consisting of a two-seater bench and matching side chair brings a flair from times long past. Design The traditional wood joints and the upwardly curving corners and legs l...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cherry, Upholstery

Bleached Carved Mahogany Tripple Pedestals Base Upholstered Seat Bench MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Custom Studio Made Bleached Carved Mahogany Tripple Pedestals Base Upholstered Seat Bench MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Set of 2 Chairs or Benches in Teak, Italy, 1960s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice set of 2 Italian benches or chairs. They are made in the 1960s. Teak wooden seating with a black metal structure. We work with professional packers and shippers, we...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Iron Slat Bench from France in Blue Suede, 1950's
Located in Phoenix, AZ
One iron and suede slat bench from France, circa mid-1950s. This example has a powder coated iron frame and has been newly upholstered in bright blue suede. Price listed is per bench. We have one single bench...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Tufted Mohair like Fabric Faux Bamboo Frame Mid Century Compact Bench MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tufted Mohair like Fabric Faux Bamboo Frame Mid Century Compact Bench MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Folded steel Bench in the manner of Maria Pergay
Located in London, GB
High quality folded steel bench in the manner of the iconic Marie Pergay 'wave' bench. This beautiful piece can be left as it is or have an upholst...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Benches or Stools, style of Jean-Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical style benches or stools in the manner of Jean-Michel Frank.The hand made frames have a classic, X-form design typical of JM Frank are in wrought ir...
Category

2010s French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Bauhaus Chrome Bent Tube Black and White Upholstery Bench
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Bauhaus black and white Naugahyde upholstery bench. Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Marcel Breuer decor.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table with Brass Trim by Imperial
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage modern walnut coffee table/bench with brass trim. This sleek and slender coffee table would make a beautiful addition to any space, and could also double as a bench. Made in Grand Rapids, Michigan by Imperial Furniture Co...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Louis XVI Piano Bench
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French Mid-Century piano bench or stool in the Modern neoclassical style with delicately fluted and tapered legs united by a stretcher. The bench opens for storage. Re-uphols...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Daybed Luxor, by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960's, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Luxor daybed is a true masterpiece of design, combining both comfort and elegance in a way that only Sergio Rodrigues could achieve. The frame is made of Brazilian hardwood, with...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice solid walnut bench or coffee table by Risom.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

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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