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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
Magnificent Herman Miller Style Long Faux Leather Tufted Aluminum Base Bench
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent Herman Miller style long faux white leather tufted bench with polished aluminum three-legged base.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum

Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Hand Carved Espresso Stained Teak Wood Bench
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful reclaimed teak wood taken from my finest collection and hand carved by our master carver featuring our unique minimalist carving. This wide single thick slab is shown with ...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Mid-Century Modernist Waterfall Lucite Stool in Platinum Metallic Textured Woven
Located in New York, NY
Chic Mid-Century Modernist clear Lucite bench or vanity stool in a waterfall design on chrome castors with a spherical cross support rod. The thick squared top cushion has been newly...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Lucite

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

Van Keppel Green "VKG"Bench
Van Keppel Green "VKG"Bench
$3,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Two French Parchment Benches in the Style of Marc du Plantier
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of midcentury style stools / benches with wrought iron frame and parchment seats exhibiting the influences of French Art Deco, modernism and a sober neoclassical spirit....
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Italian Mid-Century Pair of Kids Benches
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian 1950s Italian kids benches. Chrome base and Formica seat. Original condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Oak Bench by Edward Durell Stone for Fulbright Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This rare bench was designed in the 1940s by the noted architect, Edward Durell Stone for Fulbright Furniture. This example bears a remarkable patina, as it was likely used outdoors,...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Linear Bench in Natural Wanut Series 60 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. Explore our seven wood finishes an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Diamond Cut Bent Lucite Piano Bench Stool
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern diamond cut Lucite bench or stool.          
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Lucite

Mid century plywood benches in the manner of Alvar Aalto, 1960 - set of 2
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
This pair of mid century benches are made out of plywood curved seats and a wooden base. The design is much like the Alvar Aalto 51/403 chair produced by Artek. We cant confirm thi...
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Plywood

KENA Bench 180cm, Rough Black Monkey Pod Wood
Located in Chiangmai, TH
Ambiguity between the two forms of creativity, art and design, was a popular conversation during Mid-20th century. Measure: length 1600 mm. Dedicated to the design language of tha...
Category

2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mid-Century Modern X-Form Stools / Benches, circa 1962
Located in Dallas, TX
This refined pair of Mid-Century Modern benches or drinks tables were realized in the Unites States, circa 1960 by Drexel. Each bench has a rectangle shape to the top/seat that perfe...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Midcentury Style Teak Wood Coffee Table or Bench
Located in New York, NY
Impressive single slab reclaimed teak coffee table or bench set on mid century style legs. Beautiful grain on this live edge top with a natural oil finish. Own an Andrianna Shamaris...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Brass X-Form Bench Pal McCobb Style
Located in Hanover, MA
Solid brass square bar x-form bench seat in the style of Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture with black leatherette upholstered seat with raised sides and inset brass trimmed handles. ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern English Joint Solid Mahogany Turned Legs Bench Stool
Located in Germantown, MD
Amish crafted English joint solid mahogany bench / stool in excellent condition. Measures 20" in width, 14" in depth and 19" tall. W7060822B
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Mahogany

Wire Mesh Loveseat Settee Outdoor Bench
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern all wire mesh outdoor loveseat sofa park bench chair.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Vintage Beech Bentwood Standing Planter, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

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

Pair of New Red Upholstery Square Brass Frames Benches Stools by Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern brass benches by Paul McCobb.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Convex Bench Series 72 in Blackout Oak
Located in Westport, CT
Introducing the Convex Bench by Carlos Solano for Stamford Modern—an exquisite blend of timeless craftsmanship and lightweight design. Meticulously crafted from solid oak or walnut, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Mid Century Modern Adjustable Bench
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: USA Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Materials: Walnut, Wool Measurements: 50″ wide x 24″ deep x 14″ tall Condition: Frame in excellent original condition....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Vintage Leather Gymnastic Bench Box, 1940s, Restored
Located in Wien, AT
This gymnastics box comes from a Prague gym and has been completely restored. The thick cowhide has a nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of Spanish Gilt Iron Benches in Striped Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant pair of Spanish gilt iron benches was recently handcrafted by expert European artisans using traditional iron-working techniques. The hand forged iron bases feature a ce...
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

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

John Vesey Aluminum and Walnut Folding Directoire Bench, circa 1958
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Such an incredible rare example of precision design of the 1950s, by John Vesey Inc, this aluminum Classic Folding Bench in the Directoire style is in high-demand and sought after by collectors, interior designers and fine art galleries for very good reasons. The quality and precision craftsmanship of this foldable bench is simply incredible. Use it as a bench, stool, chair, and then fold it up, stow it away or take with you. It's size allows you to use it in smaller rooms and stow away in smaller closets or place it aside alongside a wall in a room. And the look and style of this piece is unmatchable. Such luxurious high-end design, excellent candidate for the designer who has a discriminating client who wants the best of the best. This elegant aluminium folding bench by John Vesey would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as a side chair, dining, cafe or breakfast table bench, bedside chair, fireside stool...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum

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

Italian Vintage Bench with Red 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 six seats can be placed to face the side needed, as you ca...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood

Teakwood and metal bench, Made in Italy, 1970s
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the charm of the past with this beautifully preserved mid-century bench crafted from warm teak wood. More than just seating, this multifunctional piece effortlessly tran...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Southwestern Pattern Upholstery and Wood Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Danish mid-century rectangular floating bench with a banded Southwestern blue and green patterned fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).    
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Steelcase Bench in the manner of Florence Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
A handsome and useful piece by Steelcase, this bench is very similar to the design by Florence Knoll. It features a chromed steel base supporting two upholstered seats. Newly restore...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

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

Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Hand Carved Espresso Stained Teak Wood Bench
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the midcentury Couture Collection, featuring our unique Minimalist carving. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. Beautiful reclaimed teak wood taken from m...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Gilt Spanish Iron Bench with Lyre-Shaped Base
Located in Buchanan, NY
A vintage 1950s Spanish iron bench, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship in its lyre-shaped base and hand-applied dark gilt patina. The design fea...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Minimalist Hand Carved Teak Wood Bench
Located in New York, NY
Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful single slab of teak wood taken from my finest collection is hand carved by our master carver to produce this impressiv...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed 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

French Concrete Jigsaw Bench, circa 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful vintage interlocking concrete bench from France, circa 1950s. Four separate components make up the bench, which all interlock with each other. Years of European weather has...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Lemon Yellow Faux Ostrich Skin Leather Square Window Hall Benches MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Lemon Yellow Faux Ostrich Skin Leather Square Window Hall Benches MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Ostrich Leather

Outdoor 'Overlap' Bench in Western Red Cedar and Black Steel for Skagerak
Located in Glendale, CA
Outdoor 'Overlap' bench in western red cedar and black 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

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

21st Century Dawn Bench, Velvet Upholstery and Brass Legs, by Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Dawn Bench, Velvet Upholstery and Brass Legs, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt The DAWN bench is a statement design piece. The name dawn is inspired by the pieces clear horizontal ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern John Risley Steel Sculpture Bench
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description** Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relati...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Upholstered Bench with Spider Legs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Small Bench or Stool, Newly upholstered and Base refinished.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Three French Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Style Wood Bar Stools
Located in New York, NY
Three French Mid-Century Modern bar stools in the Brutalist spirit. Provenance: Alps region, France. Measure: Seat diameter is 9".
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

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

Brazilian Luggage Bench, 1970s
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This is a luggage bench made of Caviuna wood. The heartwood of Caviuna wood is chocolate to brownish in color with brown stripes along the grain. In addi...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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

Yngve Ekström Orange and Brown Pine Two-Seat Bench
Located in Weesp, NL
Elegant solid Pine bench designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese. It has been produced in the late 1960s. The bench will be taken apart when shipped. It takes about 10 minutes to put ...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful pair of Arthur Umanoff stacking stools from the 1964 Grenada Collection for Boyuer Scott, Shaver Howard collections. This pair is in wonderful vintage condition with a love...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Free-Form Mahogany Bench with 1950s Aluminum Park Bench Legs
Located in Oakville, CT
Vintage industrial 5' wood and cast iron mahogany bench. One-piece free-form mahogany, split to make seat and back. On 1950s polished cast aluminum park bench legs...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

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

Garland Bench
Located in Carmel, CA
Designed by Ashley Yeates, 'The Modern Hepburn,' handcrafted in California using FSC-certified wood, natural tree latex foam, organic cotton, wool batting, non-toxic finishes and nat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wool, Wood

Garland Bench
Garland Bench
$8,400 / item
Mid Century Modern U Shape Gilt Wrought Iron Window Bench NEW Upholstery MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Hollywood regency style newly upholstered window bench MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

GIO Bench Series 32 in Special Walnut by Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Discover The Gio Bench by Stamford Modern: Inspired by the iconic Gio Ponti, this bench seamlessly marries classic elegance with modern functionality. Its distinctive angled legs, ad...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Midcentury Brass Bench with Saddle Stitched Leather Cushion
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modern Brass Bench features a nude colored saddle stitched leather cushion. Since Schumacher was founded in 1889, our family-owned c...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Modern Hall Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
With a beige antiqued leather stitched cushion on an antiqued brass-finished iron cube form base. Dimensions: 48" W x 24" D x 18" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Modern Hall Bench
Modern Hall Bench
$1,719 / item
Elegant Compact Pine Bench
Located in London, GB
This low compact bench is a study in simplicity and functionality, showcasing a minimalist design that balances clean lines with practical form. Its understated aesthetic makes it a ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Vintage Bench by Kho Liang Ie for Artifort, 1960s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice and solid bench, designed by Kho Liang Ie for Artifort in the 60's. Strong structure with wooden slats and steel. Can be used inside or outside.
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Midcentury Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Bench in Walnut Poltronova Italy, 1964
Located in Almelo, NL
Midcentury Giovanni Michelucci Walnut Torbecchia Bench for Poltronova, Italy, 1964 The Torbecchia Walnut Bench, part of the Torbecchia series designed by Giovanni Michelucci for P...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Luggage Bench, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Luggage Bench, Italy, 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Walnut Slat Bench Coffee Table
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern slat bench / coffee table features hardwood construction, original walnut finish, and tall tapered legs. Unlike many of these slat benches on the market this ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

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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