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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
George Nelson Platform Bench for Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson Platform Bench from Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in 1946, this was a part of Nelson’s first collection for Herm...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Maple

Mid Century Modern Vintage Metal Blue Bench France 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage metal vintage bench with a metal frame, France 1960s. A fantastic bench from metal with renewed loose cushion covered with blue textile fabric and blue cor...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

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

Steel, Chrome

Milano Custom Metal Bench with Beige Leather Seat by Adesso Imports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Milano custom metal bench made in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Shown in steel with beige leather seat. Can be done in different metals and upholstery.
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal, Steel

Small MId-Century Modern Bench in Greige Chenille Fabric - Italy, Early 1950s
Located in Girona, Girona
Small bench with backrest and four long legs in solid shellac-varnished maple. Upholstery redone in greige chenille fabric. Italy, early 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chenille, Maple

Rare Pair of French '1930s' Stools by Taubmann
By Taubmann
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of French modernist stools in a rare design with strong tapered legs, a copper plated brass circular stretcher supporting seats of ...
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Vintage Parsons Style Benches
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of Mid-Century Modern vintage Parsons style benches in colorful abstract velvet.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Small Slatted Bench on Tapered Legs by Mel Smilow
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Small Slatted Bench on Tapered Legs Mel Smilow, circa 1956 Bench is newly refinished, wood is very nice!
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Pair of Petite Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Slipper Benches"
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rarely seen pair of petite "Slipper benches" model #684 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Newly upholstered frames on zebra wood legs.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Textile, Zebra Wood

Bench or Coffee Side Table in Rattan and Wicker by Tito Agnoli, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century Italian organic coffee table or bench in bamboo, rattan and hand-woven wicker. This stylish French Riviera style side table was designed in Italy during the 1960...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Flavor Custom Originals Oversized Bench
Located in New York, NY
Flavor Custom Design originals oversized bench style of Milo Baughman. The bench is upholstered in an ultra-suede fabric and has a loose cushioned seat....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Ultrasuede

Mid-Century Modern Slatted Seat Bench Black with Gilded Feet Fully Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Slatted Seat Bench restored in black with gilded feet. Unfortunately, we do not know the history, nor who manufactured the Mid-Century Bench, but it does have the ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Vintage Eleh Bench by Sergio Rodrigues, Rosewood, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
Located in New York, NY
The Eleh bench is a furniture piece from the 1960s designed by Sergio Rodrigues (1914-2012). Its structure is composed of a veneered wood box covered with R...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Rosewood

Hand Carved Italian Goat Skin Bench in the Manner of Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
A chic Italian Mid-Century Modern style, hand carved bench or stool with delicately tapering and angled, spalyed legs with the seat covered in long haired goatskin. Available for ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Goatskin, Hardwood

Designer Midcentury Brass Bench Upholstered in a Bargello Handmade Cushion
Located in Kensington, MD
Designer midcentury Brass Bench Upholstered in a Bargello Handmade Cushion Additional information: Material: Brass, Upholstery The brass frame accents the custom handmade white-...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Handmade Italian Modern Craftsman Bench / Sofa in the Spirit of Andrea Branzi
Located in New York, NY
A stunning, unique Italian Modern Craftsman sculpture / sofa / bench in the spirit of Andrea Branzi's Modern Rustic / Brutalist Aesthetic as seen in "Domestic Animals". This original...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Bench with Solid Chrome Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 1960s modernist bench features sturdy polished chrome frame with upholstered top. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Contemporary "Xiloteca S-12" Slatted Bench by DJ Papagaio, Brazil, 2024
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Contemporary "Xiloteca S-12" Slatted Bench by DJ Papagaio, Brazil, 2024 Slatted bench made in different types of typical Brazilian wood.
Category

2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Lou Hodges Daybed for California Design Group
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Daybed designed by Lou Hodges for California Design Group c.1970s, USA. The solid oak frame supports a newly upholstered brown suede tufted cus...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Suede, Upholstery, Oak

Small Slat Bench in Solid Brazilian Hardwood, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Add a touch of originality to your interior with this exceptional slat bench, expertly crafted from solid Brazilian hardwood. With its rounded slats, including the legs, this piece s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hardwood

Canapé 2 Places Whist Vintage par Olivier Mourgue pour Airborne, 1964
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
Canapé 2 Places Whist Vintage par Olivier Mourgue pour Airborne, 1964
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Italian 1940s Modern Traditional Stools or Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modern traditional stools enameled white with original coverings.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Egyptian Bench with Modern Pearl Inlay, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible Egyptian bench with Modern pearl inlay, 1960s. Great condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Erik Jørgensen Bench, Model EJ 141, Designed by Jensen & Ernst
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Elegant stool/bench, model EJ 141 designed by Morten Ernst & Anne Mette Jensen for Erik Jørgensen, Denmark. It's a bench with legs made of chrome-plated and upholstered seat in black...
Category

Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Antonio Citterio Esosoft Bench by Cassina, Italy - new
Located in Berlin, DE
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Bench by Cassina, Italy - 2022. Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color.
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric

"Bamse" Bench by Roland Wilhelmsson for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden, 1971
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pine Wood; Bench; Mid-Century Modern: Karl Andersson & Söner; Roland Wilhelmsson; Swede; 1960s; Modernist Design; Swedish pine "Bamse" bench designed by Roland Wilhemsson for Karl ...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Mid Century Modern Lacquered Mahogany Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern bench features a clean, geometric, lacquered mahogany frame with high handled sides and contrasting bright blue wool upholstered seat. It's perfect as accent seati...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wool, Mahogany

French Modern Neoclassical Lacquered Table / Bench by Alberto Pinto for Nobilis
Located in New York, NY
A rare and iconic French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical lacquered stool, bench, side or cocktail table by Alberto Pinto for Nobilis, Paris. The piece is conceived as both furniture ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Swedish Bench in Pine by Sven Larsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
Sven Larsson is one of the Swedish pioneers of the robust pine furniture era that started in the late 1960s and grew popular in the 1970s. With a great feeling for details and qualit...
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Modern 1960’s Thinline Bench
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful mid-century bench manufactured by Thinline, it has no label on it. This bench is in good condition, it has being newly reupholstered and powder coated in ivory. The bench ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

ARC Bench Series 60 in Espresso
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

Vintage Modern Studio Made Coffee Table, circa 1959
By Robert Jay Lawrence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Midcentury coffee table designed and inscribed by artist Robert Jay Lawrence in 1959. Unusual three leg construction with rich walnut top. For use as a coffee table or benc...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Iron Bench / Luggage Racks
Located in New York, NY
2 pairs of French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical hand .wrought iron and partially gilt benches, stools or luggage racks circa 1937-1940. The pieces feature a Classic, sober X-form o...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Cees Braackman for Editions Pastoé,
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cees Braackman for Editions Pastoe fabric to redo
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Beech

Theater Bench by Carlo Mollino, Rai Auditorium Torino, Italy, 1951
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This two-seater bench was designed by Carlo Mollino in the 1950s. The bench was part of the original seating from the Rai Auditorium in Turin, which is why there are small numbers on...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Douglas Deeds, Fiberglass Bench for Sintoform, 1970
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Douglas Deeds, fiberglass bench for Sintoform Architectural Fiberglass, off-white. Authenticity confirmed by company brochure. Sintoform originally came from the USA and had branc...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fiberglass

Bench, Painted Iron, France, circa 1900
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Bench, Painted iron in the shape of bamboo, Back and seat in iron lattice, Original lacquer, wear consistent with age and use, France, circa 1900. Measures: 120 x 55 x 87 cm.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Solid Teak Bench
Located in London, England
Solid teak mid-century bench. Re-finished. U.K circa 1960. H 46cm x W 150cm x D 34/20cm
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Teak

Swedish Designer, Bench, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine bench designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 16.5” H x 47.25” W x 17.375” D
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

20th Century Swedish Dux Three Seater Teak Sofa, Vintage Settee by Folke Ohlsson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish three seater sofa with two pillows made of hand crafted polished Teakwood, designed by Folke Ohlsson and produced by DUX, in good condition. The ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Teak

Double Sided Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Double sided wooden park bench, (1950s) Measures: Seat 17 in.
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Brazilian Designer, Bench, Wood, Canvas, Brazil, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brown canvas bench designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1970s. Fully refinished and brand new canvas seat replaced. Pre-restoration images available upon request. Overall...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
Magnificent pair of Michael Taylor benches designed for Baker Furniture's Far East Collection. The solid walnut frames have been refinished in an ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Steel & Fabric Benches / Stools by Forma Nova
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Benches by Forma Nova with a sober, neoclassical curile / X-form base design in enameled steel. Seat is composed of st...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

2 Benches New Cream White Fabric with Black Metal Legs, Price for One
Located in Brussels, BE
New cream white fabric with black metal legs. Measures: Benches 125cm Price for one.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Four French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Hand-Carved Wood Stools, circa 1940
Located in New York, NY
Two elegant pairs of French Mid-Century stools or benches in the modern neoclassical spirit with an X-frame stretchers and carved tapering legs ending in ball feet. Priced and sold...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Two Large French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Carved Wood Benches circa 1930
Located in New York, NY
2 Elegant, Large French wood benches with the frames carved in a sober, pure Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical style circa 1930. The three 'back legs a...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Canvas, Upholstery, Wood

Pine Wood Bench/Console Table by Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Savværk, Denmark
Located in Echt, NL
Pine Wood Bench / Console Table by Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Savværk, Denmark 1970s Large bench / console table in very good condition. Designed by Rainer Daumiller in the 1970s. Manufactured by Hirtshals Savværk, Denmark. Can be used as a bench or a long console table. Made from solid pine wood with round feet and a thick top. We offer a variety of insured shipping services, ask us for the possibilities and competitive pricing. If you have any questions about our shipping options or this item please feel free to contact us. References: Mangiarotti, Space Age, Midcentury Design, Postwar, Sixties, Seventies, 60s, 70s, Verner Panton, Joe Colombo, Pierre Paulin, Tobia Scarpa, Osvaldo Borsani, Eero Saarinen...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Pine

Acacio Gil Borsoi Unique Slat Bench Brazil 1950s
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Hereby we offer you a rare chance to acquire a very unique piece from Brazil. This beautiful bench designed in the 1950’s by Brazillian architect Acácio Gil Borsoi...
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Brutalist Hand Carved Pine Bench by Glas Mäster Markaryd, Sweden 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A brutalist 1970s Swedish bench by Glas Mäster Markaryd featuring intricately carved geometric legs with stretcher details. This bench has a slatt...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

French Vintage Bamboo Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
French vintage bamboo sofa with new seat and back cushions. Two available and sold individually priced $2,900 each.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cotton, Bamboo, Foam

Karl Springer JMF "C" Bench in Stainless Steel with Original Upholstery
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here's a very desirable bench by German-born New York designer Karl Springer. Known as the JMF bench because of Springer's admiration of the French designer Jean Michel Frank and als...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bench model Camogli by Ico Parisi for M.I.M Roma, 1958
Located in Piacenza, Italy
"Camogli" bench, designed by Ico Parisi and produced by M.I.M Roma, is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Made from solid wood with brass details, it showcases exceptional construction ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Oval Contemporary Modern Upholstered Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish contemporary modern bench or foot stool features an elaborate striped upholstery and unusual sculpted metal legs. An overstuffed oval seat and wavy drumstick shaped legs...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

A Brutalist Bench by Aranjou, France, c. 1960s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A wonderful brutalist bench manufactured by Aranjou, France c. 1960s. Massive dark stained oak and organic shape. Wear consistent of age and use. Marks, scratches.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Swiss Design Permesso Bench in cowhide, by Girsberger - 2000s
Located in Renens, CH
Permesso, conceived by designers Kurt Müller and Daniel Leist, offers a contemporary take on the conventional bench. Its allure lies in its formal simplicity and lightness, reimagi...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Huge French Bench or Coffee Table with Wooden Connectors
Located in Berlin, BE
Huge bench or coffee table with nice wooden connector detais. The table has a solid 5cm thick table top and sides and is in very good condition with a wonde...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Storage Bench by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A powder blue bench with hinged seat cushion in original stripped upholstery. Interior storage. Includes matching petite pillow.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

“Torbecchia” Bench by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1965
Located in Almelo, NL
“Torbecchia” Bench by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1965 This exceptional “Torbecchia” bench was designed by the renowned Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci and manu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Custom Mid-Century Modern Style Rattan Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
CF signature, Mid-Century Modern style, bench features a solid walnut and ashwood frame with handwoven rattan seat, custom made in Brooklyn by cityFoundry. The bench slopes from 18 -...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Rattan, Ash, Walnut

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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