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.
$35,843 / set
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
Located in Marseille, FR
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 1970s, entirely reupholstered by Relax Factory workshop in Marseille, France, in a beautiful Limon linen Pierre Frey fabric. Excellent...
Linen
Vintage American Walnut Six Seater Sloane ii Sofa by Vladimir Kagan Couture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A custom-made, slightly curved vintage Mid-Century modern American large six or seven seater Sloane II sofa with 4 pillows, settee made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed and ...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
$35,843 / set
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
Located in Marseille, FR
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 1970s, entirely reupholstered by Relax Factory workshop in Marseille, France, in a beautiful Limon linen Pierre Frey fabric. Excellent...
Linen
Stunning Mantilla Sofa by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina Italy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Mantilla Sofa by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1960s Removable Green Chenille Upholstery on Sculpted Padded Core Designed in the 1960s for Simon Gavina, the Mantilla is...
Velvet
$11,398 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 4, White
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 4 (1x large, 1x corner, 1x medium, 2x armrest): L 230-190cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modula...
Foam
$21,398 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 5, White
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 5 (1x small,1x medium,1x large, 1x corner, 2x ottoman, 2x ottoman classic, 3x armrest): L230-280cm & 220cm / P96...
Foam
Stunning vintage Sandra Sofa with new leather by Annie Hiéronimus for Cinna 1970
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Sandra Sofa by Annie Hiéronimus for Cinna, France, 1970s Paprika/ Cognac Leather Modular Lounge Sofa with Matching Ottoman A sculptural and highly tactile design by Annie Hiéronimus...
Leather
Kashima 2 seater in original cream leather by Michel Ducaroy - Ligne Roset 1980
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima 2 Seater Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1970s Exceptional Soft Quilted Leather Sofa in Cream Open Grain Leather A refined and sculptural expression of Miche...
Leather
Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Charlotte Perriand, Sven Larsson, Yngve Ekström
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Mid-century pine armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970 Mid-century brutalist solid pine lounge chair with new upholstery in it's original brown corduroy. Elegant design and great ...
Fabric, Pine
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC5 Sofa light blue or black
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color. Available in fabric or leather. Contemporary and comfortable lines for this sofa that was designed by Le Corbusier for his Paris...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Stunning Kashima Sofa in original leather by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset 1980
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1970s Exceptional Soft Quilted Leather Sofa in Cream Open Grain Leather A rare and highly tactile expression of Michel Ducaro...
Leather
Le Corbusier 5 Canapé, Appartement Le Corbusier Durable For Cassina
By Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Le Corbusier 5 Canapé, Appartement Le Corbusier Durable For Cassina Comfortable, contemporary lines distinguish this sofa designed by Le Corbusier for his Paris apartment, where the...
Chrome
Danish Mid Century Two Seater Sofa in Oak, Reupholstered, by Tage Poulsen, 1960s
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely 2 seater sofa in oak, reupholstered in a vintage fabric stored from the 1980s. Designed by Danish architect Tage Poulsen, model TP632. Designed in 1962. This sofa can be free...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
$8,363Sale Price|50% Off
Rare Golden Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Bouclé Sofa, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
An exciting example of French design firm Maison Jansen’s commissioned pieces. This sofa is made from solid mahogany, lacquered in a rich dark brown and bronze–golden finish. The res...
Brass
Michel Ducaroy 'Marsala' for Ligne Roset
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Brussels, BE
This special 3-seater sofa is a well-known design by Michel Ducaroy, produced in the 1970s by the famous French furniture company Ligne Roset. The Marsala sofa demonstrates Ducaroy's...
Velvet, Plastic
Vintage leather Kashima Sofa 1982 by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset France
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1982 Original Natural Leather Sofa with Deep Tufted Construction This Kashima sofa was designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset an...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern High Back King Canopy Lounge Chair by Adrian Pearsall
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen king chair designed by Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates circa 1960's. This modern take on a canopy chair features sculpted solid walnut legs with silk moi...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,389
Italian Sofa Bed, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian sofa bed was designed in the 1950s. The shapes lend elegance and modernity to the otherwise quite minimalist design. The seat is foldable...
Iron
Celina Zilberberg, Three-seater sofa in solid wood, c. 1960
By Celina Decoracoes, Celina Moveis
Located in PARIS, FR
Celina Zilberberg Three-seater sofa, c. 1960 Solid wood and fabric 76 x 212.5 x 86 cm 29 23/25 x 83 33/50 x 33 43/50 in Created during the great decade of Brazilian Design, the 1960...
Fabric, Hardwood
Italian Design Vico Magistretti, Maralunga Lounge Chair, 1980s
Located in Renens, CH
Model 675 Maralunga lounge chair, by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, early 1980s. Upholstered in original cognac coloured leather with a good patina. The backrest features an integrat...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Caju Loveseat, Dedar Bouclé, Handmande by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Caju Loveseat, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Caju loveseat embodies the perfect balance between organic design and ...
Brass
Le Corbusier 5 Canapé, Appartement Le Corbusier Durable For Cassina
By Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Le Corbusier 5 Canapé, Appartement Le Corbusier Durable For Cassina Comfortable, contemporary lines distinguish this sofa designed by Le Corbusier for his Paris apartment, where the...
Chrome
Mario Bellini, ‘Le Bambole’ Sofa, B&B Italia, 1970s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mario Bellini, ‘Bambole’ Two-Seater Sofa, B&B Italia, 1970s Mario Bellini's iconic 'Le Bambole' loveseat for B&B Italia showcases the revolutionary soft form design that defined 197...
Fabric, Foam, Wool
$4,360Sale Price|73% Off
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless Mid-Century Modern style Sofa in the manner of Finn Juhl ( Danish 1912- 1989). The sofa features sculptural shape inspired by the Modern free art. The seat and back of the...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,550Sale Price|70% Off
Mid-Century Modern Velvet Sofa, France, Circa 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sofa from the 1950's in its original condition Needs new upholstery
Velvet
DOOQ Sofa Settee with Soft Terracotta Velvet and Silk Fringes La Folie 180cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, La Folie exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let yourself be drawn by this flirtatious feeling of...
Silk, Velvet
Leather armchairs and sofa Mario Bellini model Le stelle for B&B Italia
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of 60s/70s armchairs by Italian designer Mario Bellini, published by B&B Italy, “La Stelle” model. Entirely in mustard yellow leather (original leather), this model is recogniza...
Leather
Canapé- lit "Anfibio" par Alessandro Becchi pour Giovannetti des années 1970
Located in Paris, FR
Canapé-lit Anfibio d'Alessandro Becchi pour Giovannetti, 1972. Entièrement restauré et recouvert de tissus italien marron de haute qualité. Matelas rembourré avec de la laine de mo...
Cotton
Sofa Style Roberto Pamio, Noti Massari and Renato Toso for Stilwood, 1960s
By Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Stilwood
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa composed of 3 elements in white curly fabric. Measures: Seat height 37cm. Wear due to time and age of the chair.
Fabric
$21,398 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 5, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 5 (1x small,1x medium,1x large, 1x corner, 2x ottoman, 2x ottoman classic, 3x armrest): L230-280cm & 220cm / P96...
Foam, Wool
20th Century Teak Wood Kengu Sofa, Elsa & Nordahl Solheim for Rybo Rykken, 1970s
By Rybo Rykken, Elsa and Nordahl Solheim
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Norwegian Kengu sofa made by the Rybo Rykken manufacture, whose designers are Elsa & Nordahl Solheim. It was produced in 1976. The frame of the sofa is made of bent teak wood. The up...
Leather, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian sofa with chrome back details and original velvet upholstery. Overall the sofa is in good vintage condition.
Chrome
DOOQ Sofa Settee with Soft Kiwi Velvet and Silk Fringes La Folie 140cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, La Folie exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let yourself be drawn by this flirtatious feeling of...
Silk, Velvet
Kashima lounge set in original cream leather by Michel Ducaroy Ligne Roset 1980
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima Modular Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1970s Exceptional Three Piece Lounge Set in Soft Quilted Open Grain Leather A rare and highly sculptural expressi...
Leather
Suite de 3 fauteuils chauffeuses Roche Bobois vintage en cuir jaune moutarde
By Roche Bobois
Located in BESANÇON, FR
3 fauteuils chauffeuses Roche Bobois vintage des années 70, dans le goût du designer français Jacques Charpentier, en cuir jaune moutarde, pouvant être utilisés séparément ou assembl...
Leather
Canapé vintage en cuir cognac camel des années 70
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Canapé vintage des années 70, superbe design dans le style des éditions De Sede ou Ligne Roset, en cuir cognac ou camel, 3 places, confort ferme et moelleux, sur roulettes. Très bon ...
Leather
American Weiman Bilbao Four Seater Sofa, Canapé by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan, Weiman Preview Furniture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American Bilbao four seater sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Weiman in good condition. The back rest of the sculptural c...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
Stunning Mantilla Sofa set (2) by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina Italy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Mantilla Sofa Set by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1960s Removable Green Chenille Upholstery on Sculpted Padded Core Designed in the 1960s for Simon Gavina, the Mantill...
Velvet
Italian Sofa Gio Ponti Style 1960s Burgundy Velvet
By Gio Ponti
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Italian banana sofa in the style of Gio Ponti. Original velvet fabric (some signs of use, see photos).
Velvet
20th Century American Directional Sofa - Vintage Curved Settee by Vladimir Kagan
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A half-round, vintage Mid-Century Modern American three seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat back rest of the divano is curved with a wide armrest, supported by two round wooden bases. Newly upholstered in a white cotton fabric. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1950 - 1970, United States. The sofa belong to the Broadway theatre...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
Ensemble de canapé modulaires Modèle 9000 Tito Agnoli Arflex 1970
By Tito Agnoli
Located in BAUD, FR
Ensemble de canapé modulaires Modèle 9000 de Tito Agnoli pour Arflex, 1970 ditribuée par MOBILIER INTERNATIONAL série de sièges compacts et modulables au design moderne. dimensions...
Fabric
strips sofa by cini boeri for arflex reupholstered
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Ghedi, IT
The Strips two-seater sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in 1968, is an iconic piece of Italian design that revolutionized modern seating with its innovative modular concept. Th...
Velvet
Italian Modern Curved Sofa Attributed to Federico Munari
By Carlo Mollino, Carlo Guglielmi, Ico Parisi, Gio Ponti, Federico Munari
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous Italian modern curved sofa attributed to Federico Munari. Offered is a stunning mid century Italian curved sofa with splayed brass legs attributed to Federico Munari, circa....
Brass
'S22' two seater sofa by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Brussels, BE
Based on the design of the S 15 armchair, Pierre Chapo developed the S 22 two-seater sofa in 1967. For this model, the emphasis was on volume: the S 22 doubles the floor area of the ...
Leather, Wood
Canapé modulable vintage Snake composé de 11 modules chauffeuses et 3 poufs
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Incroyable et immense canapé banquette entièrement modulable vintage des années 70 80, modèle Snake, composé de 11 modules d’assises type chauffeuses et de 3 poufs repose-pieds, en t...
Fabric
$3,942Sale Price|25% Off
3 Seater Sofa, « De Knoop », De Ster Gelderland, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Vintage Dutch sofa by producer De Ster, Gelderland in excellent condition. The sofa is executed in a solid teak wooden frame, with iconic amrrests, which g...
Metal
MASSIMO VIGNELLI Mod. Saratoga White and Red Sofa, 1964
Located in Roma, Lazio
Historic sofa mod. Saratoga in white lacquered wood with cushions in beautiful red-purple fabric. If you can design one thing, you can design everything...
Wood, Fabric
Canapé- lit rayé noir et blanc vintage
Located in Paris, FR
Canapé lit rayé noir et blanc vintage en très bon état. Entièrement en mousse. Il se déplie pour former un lit le dossier est maintenu par des liens de serrage.
Fabric, Foam
$11,390 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 4, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 4 (1x large,1x corner, 1x medium, 2x armrest): L 230-190cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modular...
Foam
$5,257Sale Price|60% Off
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room sofa by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This sofa from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end Italian ...
Brass
Canapé Grandangolo par Titiana Ammannati et Giampiero Vitelli pour Ros
By Titina Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli
Located in Paris, FR
Canapé modulable d’une très grande élégance. Canapé fraichement restauré par l’Atelier de tapisserie Biermann. Les mousses et les tissus ont été totalement rénovés. Les assises sont ...
Cotton, Acrylic, Foam, Wood
$10,239 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 3, White
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO Sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 3 (2x large,1x small, 2x armrest): L300cm / P96cm / H70cm / Seating H42cm Modular sofa: assemble different modu...
Foam, Wool
$10,239 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 3, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 3 (2x large,1x small, 2x armrest): L 300cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modular sofa: assemble ...
Foam, Wool
$10,239 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 3, Green
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 3 (2x large, 1x small, 2x armrest): L 300cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modular sofa: assemble...
Foam, Wool
DOOQ Sofa Settee with Soft Terracotta Velvet and Silk Fringes La Folie 140cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, La Folie exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let yourself be drawn by this flirtatious feeling of...
Silk, Velvet
$14,337Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Oval Design Black Leather Sofa. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This stunning and rare oval design sofa is made of black leather with chrome legs. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Chrome
DOOQ Sofa Settee with Soft Kiwi Velvet and Silk Fringes La Folie 180cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, La Folie exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let yourself be drawn by this flirtatious feeling of...
Silk, Velvet
$11,398 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 4, Green
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 4 (1x large, 1x corner, 1x medium, 2x armrest): L 230-190cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modula...
Foam
$5,061Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This Cromwell 3-seater leather sofa was designed by Arne Norell during the 1960s. It is a timeless design and as popular today as it was 60 years ago when it was launched. The sofa is upholstered with high-quality natural leather in shades of earthy brown. The slender form with slightly tilted sides has a modernist character. It has loose seat cushions, backrests and side cushions. The legs were made of oak wood. This Cromwell sofa...
Leather, Wood
Italian Modern Curved Sofa with Brass Legs Attributed to Federico Munari
By Federico Munari, Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo, Gigi Radice, Ico Parisi
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous Italian midcentury curved sofa with splayed brass legs attributed to Federico Munari, circa 1960. In the style of Gio Ponti/ Ico Parisi / Gigi Radice. Currently upholstered ...
Brass