Skip to main content

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.

to
211
1,094
431
1,206
311
55
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,352
487
260
274
239
256
230
248
230
248
229
246
1,497
257
191
141
119
113
97
96
94
76
62
61
59
49
41
38
30
5
11
1,190
366
10
797
253
1
1
16
26
213
273
171
30
14
1,014
622
534
225
202
667
650
636
252
140
1,572
1,327
1,388
62
45
28
26
22
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Large Bernt Santesson Outdoor 'Drachmann 200' Teak Bench for Skagerak
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bernt Santesson outdoor 'Drachmann 200' teak bench for Skagerak Skagerak was founded in 1976 by Jesper and Vibeke Panduro, who took inspiratio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak

Pine Bench Les Arc by Charlotte Perriand, French Modernism, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pine Bench Les Arc by Charlotte Perriand, French Modernism, 1970s Pine bench designed by the French designer Charlotte Perriand in the 1970s. It is c...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Palladio Italian Rope & Tassel Gilt Iron & Red Upholstery Vanity Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century rope and tassel design vanity bench with a gilt iron frame, low scrollwork back, and a red velvet upholstered seat cushion. (PALLADIO) Condition: Good; Wear cons...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Meranti Wood Bench 1960 Italy
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the charm of the past with this beautifully preserved mid-century bench crafted from warm Meranti wood. More than just seating, this multifunctional piece effortlessly t...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Custom Square Brass Pointe Leg Bench or Stool
Located in New York, NY
Custom Pointe' leg bench or stool, shown in 18” square velvet with tapered brass legs ending in a ball foot with buttons and seaming. Available in any si...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Artisanal Bench in Dark Walnut
Located in Westport, CT
Introducing the Artisanal Bench by Stamford Modern, a captivating sculptural masterpiece that seamlessly blends artistry and functionality. Handcra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

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

Pair of Six-Legged Brass Feet Italian Daybeds on Brass Feet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fully redone pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern six-legged upholstered brass legs day beds or wide benches.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

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

Extra Long Heavy Vintage Maple Wood Slatted Bench
Located in North Miami, FL
A French extra long thick block maple wood slatted bench in the Charlotte Perriand style.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Maple

Bespoke Curved Polished Brass U-Shaped Bench with Ivory Boucle, Italy, 65" long
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke Curved Polished Brass Bench, handcrafted in Milan, Italy, consisting of two inverted U-shaped polished brass frames. Minimalistic design. Upholstered in a segmented cushion form with imported Bisson Bruneel boucle in ivory hue. This bench is on display at the Gallery at 200 Lex at the New York Design Center.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Custom Upholstered Mondrian Bench
Located in New York, NY
Custom integrated leg Mondrian bench, shown in rich charcoal mohair, with buttons and seaming. Available in any size custom-made to order COM / COL. Legs can be brass, nickel or chro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

Frits Schegel Sofa Bench, Denmark 1930s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
FRITS SCHLEGEL & FRITZ HANSEN - SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful and rare sofa bench by Frits Schlegel and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, 1940, with maker's brass plaque and paper lab...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Beech

French Modern Neoclassical Bench in White Simi-Leather in style of Andre Arbus
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant French Midcentury Bench or Stool in the Modern Neoclassical Style with an X-frame structure. The The stool is original in its total white composition and the use of white ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Andrianna Shamaris Mid-Century Couture Bench
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the mid-century Couture Collection. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A two inch thick single slab of teak wood taken from my finest collection is hand ...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Teak

Hugo Passos Outdoor 'Banco' Double Teak Bench for Skagerak
Located in Glendale, CA
Hugo Passos outdoor 'Banco' double teak bench for Skagerak Skagerak was founded in 1976 by Jesper and Vibeke Panduro, who took inspiration from their love of Scandinavian design a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak

Contemporary Bench 'Studio' by Norr11, Leather Spectrum Mineral
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Bench 'Studio' by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: W. 120 cm / D. 47 cm / H. 47 cm / seat height 47 cm Modular sofa: assemble different modul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Foam, Leather

Custom Brass Pointe Leg Bench
Located in New York, NY
Custom Pointe' leg bench, shown in 41" with tapered brass legs ending in a ball foot with buttons and seaming. Available in any size or shape custom made to order COM/COL. Legs can b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

1950s Gray Cushioned Mahogany Wood Bench Mexico City
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Modernist Bench in Mahogany Wood Mexico 21 tall x 19.75d x 32.5w Preowned original vintage condition. Restored new fabric Dark Gray Ready to go! See images please Delivery to L...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Outdoor 'Overlap' Bench in Western Red Cedar and Green Steel for Skagerak
Located in Glendale, CA
Outdoor 'Overlap' bench in western red cedar and green steel for Skagerak Skagerak was founded in 1976 by Jesper and Vibeke Panduro, who took inspiratio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Trio of Walnut and Travertine Stools or Bench by Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These versatile stools with nicely figured walnut and travertine tops can be used separately or you can push them together to form a bench using either two or three.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Travertine

Vintage Bench In Wood, Czechoslovakia 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage wooden bench in an original condition. Produced in Czechoslovakia, this bench is low in style. Ideal for occassional seating, or as a plant holder, or interior desi...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Andrianna Shamaris Mid-Century Couture Wabi Sabi Bench
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the Mid Century Couture Collection. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful antique single teak panel taken from my finest collection, is expertly...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Large Pine Bench
Located in London, GB
This strong pine bench is full of character, made from solid pine it has a wonderful rich grain and chunky angular frame creating an interesting over shape. The strong lines and scul...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Crescent Bench Series 60 in Bronze by Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
The Crescent Bench - a harmonious blend of elegance, stability, and artistic craftsmanship. Supported by four solid brass casted legs, this exquisite bench ensures enduring quality a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Bronze

Tommi Parzinger Stools, Benches, Ebonized Wood, Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
Tommi Parzinger Stools, Benches, Ebonized Wood, Upholstery. An uncommon pair of simple and elegant square stools with splayed legs, upholstered in a period burlap jute with red piping.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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

Long Six-Legged Blood Cherry Lacquer Finish Display Bench
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Decorative seven foot long carved frame bench or coffee table in thick dirty red lacquer enamel finish.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of JMF Style Cream Lacquered Benches with Orange Leather Cushions
By JMF
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of 20th century JMF Style cream lacquered benches with bright orange leather seat cushions and bolster. Tapered wood feet in the MCM style. Additional dimensions: SH 20.5" S...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Lacquer, Leather

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' Di...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Italian 1950's Maple Wood Stool/Bench with Mongolian Sheepskin
Located in New York, NY
An elegantly appointed Italian 1950's maple wood stool or bench with gracefully tapered and angled legs; the top newly upholstered in a luxurious creamy/white long haired Mongolian s...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Sheepskin, Maple

Danish Modern Teak and Beech Bench, 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Teak and Beech Bench, 1950s. Gorgeous small Danish Mid-century modern bench with slats in solid teak. Frame in beech with feet in teak. Versatile furniture that can ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Beech, Teak

44" Woven Leather Bench in Ebonized Ash and Black Leather by Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced in 2016, the Woven Leather Collection is classically midcentury. The simplistic beauty, fine craftsmanship, and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Ash

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

Ilmari Tapiovaara “Pirkka” Bench for Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A wonderful bench from the “Pirkka” series, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Laukaan Puu, circa 1950. The narrow rectangular top / seat of the bench are made of d...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Smoked Blue Grey Lucite Bench
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular signed ( illegible ) smoked blue/grey bench, stool, with original upholstered seat. Chic and sophisticated architectural design, top quality con...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Lucite

Mid-Century Bench in Teak with Brass Feet, Italy, 1950s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian bench or side table made in the 1950s. Teak wooden seating with a black metal structure and brass adjustable feet.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass, Steel

Italian Vintage Bench with Red Leather Seats, 5 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 five seats can be placed to face the side needed, as you c...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood

Handcrafted Studio Bench by Fabian Fischer, Germany 2023
Located in Berlin, DE
Made to order Bench by German Woodworker Fabian Fischer. Made in the tradition and quality of American Studio Craftsmanship. The price reflects the Bench made in Oak but can also be ...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage c1970s Tapestry Upholstery Style Decorative Benches MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Vintage c1970s Tapestry Upholstery Style Decorative Benches MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Tapestry

1930s Italian Working Bench
Located in Praha, CZ
- the wood has been treated by oil - wood with signs of age.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Dust Bench Settee with Soft Velvet 2 Seat
Located in Lisbon, PT
Dust sofa is a tribute to comfort and discreet elegance. With a comfy structure and available in many color and texture options, Dust makes a strong impression. Made to Order. If ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Italian Bench, 1950s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden bench made by an Italian craftsman in the 1950s. Wear due to time and age of the bench. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Lucite Tufted White Vinyl Bench
Located in Wilton, CT
Mid-Century custom tufted white vinyl bench with Lucite legs. Very well made and striking mid-1970s piece that may be used in any number of interior design...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Restored Vintage Bench in Red Lacquered Wood
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful three-seater bench in red lacquered wood, made in the 30s of fine Italian manufacture. The bench has a solid and durable structure in red lacquered wood that gives an elegant and lively touch to the seat. The seats are divided by armrests, also made of wood. The seat is composed of many tubular structures in red wood. The vintage Italian bench...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern 4 Seat bench Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern 4 Seat armchair sofa bench with upholstery by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll. Made in American circa 1970s. Designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morriso...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood and Leather Small Stool Spottrup Mobler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Danish Modern spottrup mobler rosewood and leather small stool bench or ottoman. Solid rosewood - Tan leather seat cushion. Great vintage condition.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Mid Century American Studio Craft Solid Black Walnut 4' Bench or Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century American Studio craft solid black walnut 4' bench or coffee table circa 1950. Beautiful simple design solid walnut tapered legs. Dowel rod joints and flat head screws. Ve...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Mid century Solid oak American Studio Craft 10 foot long Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid century solid oak 10' long bench. beautiful Oak. Mid century American Studio craft. All solid Oak. Very minimalist design. Very heavy and solid bench. No signatures or ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

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

Midcentury Studio Craft Large Free Edge Slab Top Walnut Bench or Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique 8' long studio Craft large free edge slab top Walnut bench or coffee table with a solid wood stretcher base. Unsigned. Located In Brooklyn NYC. Measures 97" long x 36" deep x...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Organic Live Edge Studio Craft Walnut 3 Leg Stool or Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Organic live edge studio Craft Walnut 3 leg stool or Bench. Nice Live edge section of Black Walnut slab with 3 Hexagon carved legs with jointery through the slab. ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Solid Teak & Walnut Block Swedish Coffee Table on Tapered Dowel Legs Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid teak & walnut Block Swedish coffee table on tapered dowel legs mint. Beautiful two tone "butcher block" style solid teak and walnut coffee table. Made in Sweden. Restored. Be...
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Teak, Walnut

60" Woven Leather Bench in Ebonized Ash and Black Leather by Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced in 2016, the Woven Leather Collection is classically midcentury. The simplistic beauty, fine craftsmanship, and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Ash

Andrianna Shamaris Mid Century Couture Bench or Stool
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique single teak panel from my finest collection, is expertly shaped into this beautiful bench or stool. Part of the Mid Century Couture Collection. Furniture construc...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

1970s Italian Vintage Black Faux Fur Steel Bed Stool Bench - 1 Pair available
Located in New York, NY
A pair is available - Mid-Century Modern Italian bench, rare for the structure in satin steel with a silver brushed chrome color, very modern in the construction with a stylized C shape mount, covered with a Dedar fake Mongolian fur fabric. Ideal as an end-of-bed footstool...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

French Ebonized Ottoman in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Houston, TX
French ebonized ottoman in the manner of Maison Jansen. This stunning French ottoman, bench or stool has a matte Ebonized finish, tapered legs with brass sabots. This French Mid-Cent...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Italian Modernist Chrome Bench with Leather Seat Cushion, Italy, circa 1970
Located in New York, NY
An Italian modernist cylindrical shaped chrome bench with a leather covered seat cushion. A wonderful contrast of complimentary materials, with the shine and gloss of the metal and ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

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.

Recently Viewed

View All