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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
Modern Prism Bench in Navy Leather
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Montage, the Prism Collection is a contemporary interpretation of design with Lucite, used prominently in the Mid-Century. Our clean lined expertly polished solid lucite ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Lucite

Low Slung Asian Inspired Midcentury Bench
Located in Atlanta, GA
Low Slung Asian inspired midcentury bench, American, circa 1950s. This piece was probably reupholstered in it's Asian style geometric fabric within the past ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Astor 60" Brass Bench in Navy Velvet by Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Montage, the Astor Bench 60" is a wonderful addition to a refined interior space. Astor was designed with the delicate proportions of the midcentury, celebrating an era o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

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

Custom Midcentury Style Hairpin Leg Bench
Located in New York, NY
Custom hairpin leg bench, with satin black powder coated iron legs and four inch thick upholstered seats. Shown in 28" x 18" x 16" tall. To be done C...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Modular Beech Set of Two Room Dividers with Benches, 1970, Italy
Located in Oirlo, LI
Modular beech set of two room dividers with benches, 1970 Italy. This set can be used in many different ways, if you have a space that needs to be divided or if you want to create...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Beech

Three Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Stools / Benches in Bouclé
Located in New York, NY
Three Adrian Pearsall sculptural stools / benches. The sculptural frames are walnut with cushioned seats done in Bouclé.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Bouclé, Walnut

Pair of "Box" Benches in Polished Nickel by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of polished nickel benches designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1970s. The frames of the benches are made in solid st...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

Seat in the Style of Sport Bench
Located in Praha, CZ
Made of cow skin and wood Very good original condition with nice patina Good ice-breaking piece!
Category

1980s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Animal Skin

Mid-Century Style Covered Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Retro ottoman or bench for living room use. White fabric covered bench set on chrome sled style legs. Please confirm location.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Bench
Located in North York, ON
Mid-Century Modern bench. Original mid-century design, America, circa 1970’s. Masterfully restored in a light pale grey satin lacquered finish with contrasting textured off-white fabric. Sleek clean styling with tapered leg design. Price includes complimentary curb side shipping to the continental USA, also includes import fees, duties and taxes.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

"X" Frame Benches by Charles Hollis Jones, Black Nickel & White Mongolian Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning and minimalistic benches designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones. These benches are very versatile and perfect for condominiums ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

Charles Hollis Jones "Tree of Life" Bench, Limited Edition of 11
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Lucite and nickel-plated long bench designed by Charles Hollis Jones as a part of his new series "Tree of Life." This new line is the first limited edition that Charles is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

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 Solid Wood Benches with compass feet
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Pair of Solid Wood Benches with compass feet Bench - Vintage - Wabi Sabi Measures : 130,5x40cm H: 45,5cm Material : Wood Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1990s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Brass X Form Bench
Located in Atlanta, GA
Brass X form bench, American, circa 1950s. This bench has been recently reupholstered in an ivory color boucle fabric. The brass base retains its original...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal, Brass

Alvar Aalto style Stool /Tables 63 Bentwood
Located in Westport, CT
Alvar Aalto Style Stool /Tables design no 63 bentwood birch finish /could be used as tables or pedestals,vintage in very good condition,unusual height.
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Solid Brass Frame Midcentury Window Bench New Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern heavy gage solid brass frame window bench. Heavy and solid brass machined finials. New upholstery. The frame has been completely repolished and refinished. Influen...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Extra Long Solid Brass Base Frame Spring Loaded New Upholstery Bench Daybed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern solid brass frame profile new upholstery super comfortable spring loaded mattress like seat cushion bench or daybed.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Solid Wood, Black Metal Brass Medium Size Bench 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid century modern solid wood, black metal and brass medium size bench, 1960s. Very simple bench with medium-sized structure, seat in solid wood and rectangular section legs in black metal, with brass tip. 1960s Good state of conservation. Measurements in cm 191...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Pink Velvet Upholstery Dowel Legs Benches
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of newly upholstered Italian style Mid-Century Modern dowel leg benches.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

French Modern Craftsman Hand Carved Wood Alpine Bench in an Organic Form, 1930
Located in New York, NY
A Unique, French Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Hand Carved bench or settee from the French Alpine region reflecting the balance of rustic and modern sensibilities with its cool, organic form. The bench or settee is comfortable and can seat one or two. Additional References: Black Forest, Adirondack...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hardwood

Circa 1960s Wrought Iron Window Bench Fully Restored New Red Lacquer Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fully restored Mid-Century Modern wrought iron window bench. New fire red lacquer finish and new Greek key style fabric upholstery.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large Solid Brass X Base Ottoman New Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern large solid brass ottoman with new upholstery in style of Paul McCobb.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Large Square Deep Bronze Velvet Upholstery Tufted Upholstery Ottoman Footstool
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern bronze upholstery tufted stool ottoman by Widdicomb. Ball casters well built construction frame high quality upholstery.  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet

Brushed Brass “Mushroom” Pouf in Velvet by Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
The most versatile piece in any living space; "poufs" are elegant additions and very much objects of sculpture in their own right. The Montage Workroom was quite inspired by vintage ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel, Brass

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, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Mid-century Modern Yngvar Sandström ‘’Tokyo’’ Bench, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Madrid, ES
‘Tokyo Bench designed by Yngvar Sandström for Nordiska Kompaniet in Oak. Sweden, 60s. Excellent restored condition that might present slight traces of use. We have available a bigge...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

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

X Base Black Lacquer Tufted Two-Tone Upholstery Neoclassical Bench Footstool
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Vintage tufted upholstery black lacquer X base ottoman.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

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

Set of Two Accent Benches in Leather After T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, USA, c. 1980s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an ultra-stylish set of accent benches that are petite in stature but grand in stance and materials used. Constructed from a solid metal frames with French-styled, canti...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Animal Skin

Mid Century Italian 3-Seat Bench by Carlo Ratti, 1950's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very rare and beautiful Italian 3-seat bench by Carlo Ratti, 1950's. It is made of 3 molded teak seats supported by black steel legs, accented with brass hardware. Designed w...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

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

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Circular Upholstered Cowhide Bench
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Round upholstered bench having cowhide supported on bronze washed metal base.  
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Pair of Italian Long Hair Goatskin Benches
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern style long hair goatskin benches in the manner of Ico Parisi. Custom handmade frame and hand carved tapered legs. Custom sizes are ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Chrome X-Base Upholstered Top Bench
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice X-base fabric upholstery stainless steel bench.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

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

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Giovanni Michelucci Walnut Torbecchia Bench 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 Pol...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

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

Custom Made Integrated Leg Tufted Velvet Bench
Located in New York, NY
Custom upholstered integrated leg velvet bench. Shown is rich chocolate brown velvet, with buttons and seaming. Available in any size custom made to order COM / COL. Legs can be bras...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

Square Chrome Midcentury Bench
Located in New York, NY
Square chrome midcentury bench with newly upholstered top. Some wear to chrome finish. Super sturdy! Would make great coffee table with tray added o...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Tight Cushioned Accent Bench
Located in Greenwich, CT
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern furniture, this tight cushioned accent bench is built to order and completely customizable. The bench shown was custom made...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Lacquer

Prism Bench in Sharkskin Motif Leather by Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Montage, the Prism collection is a contemporary interpretation of design with Lucite, used prominently in the midcentury. Our clean lined expertly polished solid Lucite “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Lucite

Andrianna Shamaris Midcentury Couture Espresso Stained Teak Wood Long Bench
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the midcentury Couture collection, furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A long Minimalist bench made from a single three inch slab of reclaimed teak wood t...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Handsome Pair of Walnut Brass Campaign Stool Ottoman Bench Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut and brass Campaign style benches. Upholstered in a golden striped silky satin fabric in usable vintage ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wood Benches / Stools Attributed to Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern benches or stools attributed to Gio Ponti with hand cut wood side panels in a unique, organic form. The pieces are reflective of the work of Gio Ponti circa 1955 and, in particular his work at the Parco di Principe hotel. The hotel featured several pieces utilizing free form, cut-out forms which created a distinct sculptural aesthetic among the furnishings. These pieces are representative of that distinctive architectural style; they are rare and much sought after. Gio Ponti was the most important architect and designer in Italy from the late 1920's through the entire 1950 decade and beyond. His work embraced art...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

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

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

Dust Bench Settee with Soft Velvet 3 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

Three Seater Plywood Bench by Carlo Ratti, Italy, 1950's
Located in Barcelona, ES
Three seater bench designed by Carlo Ratti in 1950's, Italy. Three seats in teak plywood with black lacquered metal frame. Rare model with sinuous curved shapes. Two pieces available.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

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

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Set of 3 White Painted Wooden Benches with 1 Armchair, Italy, 1960s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of three white painted wooden benches and an armchair was made in Italy in the 1960s. We covered the seats with jute straps. We would be ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Jute, Wood

Asian Modern Paul Frankl Long Cinnabar Bench Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Interesting Paul Frankl Asian modern long cinnabar lacquered bench. This piece is in vintage condition and does show it's age-we recommend a new lacquer job. This piece is made of so...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Geoffrey Harcourt Leather Four Seat Bench for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Geoffrey Harcourt Leather Bench for Artifort, The Netherlands 1960s This midcentury four-seat bench, designed by Geoffrey D. Harcourt for Artifort in the 1960s, would be a great addition to any office or waiting area. The modular seating system is made with cast aluminium leg frames and base plates that can be mounted on a steel beam set diagonally. This bench is in excellent condition with minor wear and tear that is consistent with its age and use. There are three black leather chairs with padded seats, totaling approximately 232 cm in length, 82 cm in height, and a seat height of 46 cm. The leather is in good used condition, and the legs and mounting clamps under the seats are made of sturdy aluminum, while the black supporting beam is made of thick steel. These chairs have a rich history, having been previously used for decades at a German airport and later in the waiting area of a Düsseldorf doctor's office. They are ideal for representative medical practices, law firms, or as lounge furniture in the commercial or private sector. Choosing used midcentury Furniture...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Large Italian Mid-Century Modern Sheepskin & Lucite Bench Attr to Marzio Cecchi
Located in New York, NY
A Large, Elegant and Dramatic Italian Mid-Century Modern Bench Attributed to Marzio Cecchi circa 1970. This Italian bench has a light, ethereal presence due to to its lucite base whi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Sheepskin, Lucite

Painted Bench in the Style of Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Painted bench in the style of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Has a white painted, solid walnut frame with an off-white upholstered seat.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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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