Modern Chairs
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Moooi The Golden Chair in Golden Steel Frame and Upholstery
By Moooi, Nika Zupanc
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Under a mysterious magic spell, a retro-looking school chair is dipped in enchanted golden nectar, which washes away its austerity and crows it with a shiny aureole. Isn't this a typical school-time wish, while looking out of the window and hoping for a fairytale to begin? The Golden Chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Nest Chair in Dark or Light Natural Fiber by CEU Studio Indoor - Outdoor
By CEU Studio
Located in New York, NY
Represented by Tuleste Factory
Nest Chair by CEU
39" dia x 26" H
Lead time 16-20 weeks
The item is customizable by size
All sales are final.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Natural Fiber, Rattan
Baxter Lazybones Chair by Studiopepe
By Studiopepe
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the ultimate in relaxation and style - the Baxter Lazybones Chair by Studiopepe. This luxurious piece from our exclusive collection is the epitome of comfort and sophisti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Gervasoni Allu 23 I Chair in Aluminium Frame and Woven with Natural Rawhide
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Versatile and comfortable, the Allu chair family combines the lightness and essentiality of the anodised aluminium tubular structure with a dynamic mix of textures, created by the we...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Minimalist Organic Chair in black Solid Wood, off-white textiles Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Pair of Slender Side Chairs in the Style of Philippe Starck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of slender side chairs in the style of Philippe Starck.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Garden Hanging Chair with Luxury Fabric and Stainless Steel Frame in Gold
By Myface
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Nodo hanging armchair
The Nodo Hanging Chair with Base combines durability with elegance, crafted from a coated stainless steel frame for optimal strength and outdoor resistance It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
US Mailbag and Blackened Steel Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Since first designing the Inheritance Collection, Stephen Kenn has been inspired by the inherent history in vintage military-issue materials. This piece is upholstered with mailbags ...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Blue Primitive Armchair, Designed by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive armchair, played on the asymmetry of primary volumes, is made with a padded structure and covered with a melange-colored cloth.
“Primitive as primary geometric figur...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Non Stackable Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia chair with die-cast aluminum shell and steel structure. For indoor/outdoor use. Non-stackable. Available in gold structure with white or black ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Sun Bubble Hanging Swing Chair Modern Steel In/Outdoor White 21st Century
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The Bubble hanging swing chairs’ round shape creates a cozy feel.
The is available in modern patterns that are striking in its visual appeal.
The chair has been designed to be ve...
Category
2010s Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Mahogany Armchairs With Striped Upholstery
Located in Elkton, MD
A distinguished pair of mahogany armchairs in pristine condition, featuring a classic red and gold striped upholstery.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
"Julia" Chair with Wooden Arms in Ebony
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
When she created Julia chair with wooden arms, Alessandra Delgado wanted a piece with delicate features, exploring the curves of the wood with a design ins...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Jacob Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Jacob armchair by Collector
Materials: Fabric.
Dimensions: W 110 x D 90 x H 75 cm x SH 42 cm
This fun and sophisticated armchair, it’...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Square Alchemy Chair by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Square Alchemy chair by Rick Owens.
2015
Dimensions: L 60 x W 60 x H 76 cm
Materials: Bronze, camel skin
Weight: 40 kg
Rick Owens is a California-...
Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
A pair of Pastil chairs circa 1968
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of outside armchairs designed in the sixties by Eero aarnio
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass, Polystyrene
De Sede RH-305 Chair in Cafe Upholstery by Robert Haussmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The cantilevered chair is suitable for any living space – also because the seating comfort is overwhelming and appealing in every situation. The c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Pair of Maarten van Severen .03 Vitra Chairs in Wine-Red
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Maarten Van Severen studied architecture at the Art Academy in Ghent. As a designer he was devoted to the examination of basic furniture types: chair, table, chaise lounge, shelving,...
Category
20th Century Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Wool Bouclé Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The Margot bouclé dining chair stands as a contemporary piece that redefines the standards of modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak, Leather, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric
B&B Italia Model Arcadia Dining Leather Chair Paolo Piva Set of 4
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Paolo Piva designed this dining chairs for B&B Italia.
Model Arcadia in heavenblue leather colour and the insides from the feet are in black plastic.
It fits well with memphis design...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Asthetic Shape, Natural Beige Fiberglass Sofa with Cushion by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Knead sofa by kar
Dimensions: W 180 x D 100 x H 70 cm.
Materials: FRP.
Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetition. We seek the cause and...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Checkered Contemporary Modern Club Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish contemporary modern club chair features chrome trim, black and white checkered upholstery, and uniquely shaped seat back. Very comfortable, Italian made tub chair with v...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Thonet S320 green Chair Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Thonet Chair Model S320 in green version.
Rare Colour.
Designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider.
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Big Girl Chair, Red Boucle, Modern Sculptural Organic Armchair
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Part of the Peaches collection, the Big Girl armchair is the largest piece in this new body of works. Reminiscent of a curvaceous female body, the pieces are composed of a wooden str...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Wool
Seletti "Snakes" Upholstered Occasional Chair by Toiletpaper
By Toiletpaper, Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
Mix and match the wildest graphics designed by Toiletpaper and get the most iconic dining room of all.
- Material: fabrics in polyester, frame in wood with polyurethane padding an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chairs
Materials
Polyester, Wood
Modern Circular Dining Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Inspired by seating found in the Paris Metro, our Meteor dining chairs are a complimentary mix of modern comfort and Space Age chic. The circular form of the chair provides a support...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Cowhide, Cotton, Wood
Kartell Spoon Adjustable Stool in White by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original stool whose shape is as elastic in appearance as it is in function. The innovation of Spoon consists mainly in attaching the seat to a central support with a specially reinforced curve to guarantee flexibility and comfort. Furthermore, thanks to a sophisticated design solution, the gas lift pump adjusts the height between 56 and 76 cm and is perfectly inserted into the stem. In the same ingenious fashion, the handle which regulates the mechanism is perfectly concealed inside the seat. Spoon lends itself to any surrounding: kitchen benches...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Glossy White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Crystal
Modern De Castro Dining Chair, Dark Blue, Velvet Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Ebony, Beech
1980s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Swivel Wheeled Office Chairs
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in IT
Five office swivel wheeled chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, made in Italy in 1980s. Stamped on the bottom and marked Tecno on the side, made of red, white and wine color plastic....
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Baby Beluga Chair in Shearling Wool and Brass Base by Atra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The baby beluga chair in Shearling Wool and brass base.
Small:
L 98.9cm/39"
W 80cm/31.5"
H 63.1cm/24.9"
Medium:
L 90cm/35.4"
W 106.6cm/42"
H 63.1cm/24.9"
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Red Leather Cassina Hola Dining Chair
By Cassina
Located in Basildon, London
The Red Leather Cassina Hola Dining Chair epitomises contemporary elegance with its sleek design and premium materials. Upholstered in luxurious red leath...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Spanish design "Gaulinetta" chair by Oscar Tusquets red ash wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Gaulinetta is an evolution of the Gaulino chair. In words of Oscar Tusquets «In homage to Enzo Mari, who called his chair Tonietta, a derivative of Thonet, I’ve called this chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Hide, Ash
Italian Safari or Oasi 85 armchair by Gian Franco Legler for Zanotta, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Safari or Oasi 85 armchair by Gian Franco Legler for Zanotta, 1960s.
Oasi 85 or Safari model armchair, with light wood structure, fixed by interlocking, while the seat and ba...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Alvor Chair Designed by Daciano da Costa
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
The Alvor Chair, designed by Daciano da Costa in 1966, is a notable piece in Portuguese design history. Originally created for the Hotel Alvor Praia in the Algarve, the chair reflect...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Hand-Dyed Indigo Canvas and Marbled Rust Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek and refined, the Inheritance Chair is a great addition to nearly any space.
Inspired by a worn-in pair of jeans and created alongside the team at Simon Miller, USA, our indigo cotton canvas is hand dyed using a chemical free process and embraces unique texture and color variations from piece to piece. The traditional foam seat cushions have been wrapped in polyfiber, allowing for a soft and comfortable lounge experience. Sitting atop a marbled rust steel frame, the piece has support belts featuring indigo cotton webbing, cognac leather, and antique brass buckles.
Every Stephen Kenn piece is made to order through our Los Angeles studio. We create these pieces utilizing a number of small businesses and fabricators in the LA area. We welcome inquiries about custom dimensions or custom material combinations to best fit your space and personal aesthetic.
Naturally dyed indigo cushion...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Three Bullet Shaped XL Stool in Burnt Iroko Wood and Steel by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Senufo stool XL, Arno Declercq
Dimension: D39 x W39 x H53 cm
Materials: burned and waxed Iroko wood and burned steel.
Arno Declercq
Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespok...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell One More Counter Stools in Mat White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If you want to sip a drink at the bar in peace and quiet, you need a comfortable tall stool with a back to lean against. Sometimes one drink is not ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Italian Modern Orange Fabric Chairs Mod, Breeze by Bartoli for Segis, 1980s
By Carlo Bartoli, Segis
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern orange fabric Chairs mod. Breeze by Carlo Bartoli for Segis, 1980s
Pair of chairs mod. Breeze with matt aluminum tubular structure. The seat and backrest are padded a...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian modern Chairs in black leather and tubular metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Chairs in black leather and tubular metal, 1980s
Set of four chairs with tubular metal structure. The square seat and the rectangul...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Moustache Bold Chair by Big Game Collection - 21th Century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Moustache Bold Chair by Big Game Collection - 21th Century
Iconic Desing - Pink decoration
A design iconic chair made up of two tubular parts in metal embedded in each other.
The Bol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Fabric Altay Armchair by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Altay armchair by Patricia Urquiola
Materials: Natural solid beech wood covered with fabric.
Technique: Varnished wood.
Dimensions: D 73 x W 73 x H 63 cm
Available in dif...
Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Modern Italian Re-vive Lounge Chair and Ottoman By Natuzzi Newly Upholstered
By Natuzzi
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern Italian White Quilted Leather Re-vive Lounge Chair and Ottoman By Natuzzi Newly Upholstered in a High End Full Grain Soft Italian White Leather - Set of 2
The Natuzzi Re-v...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Modern Natural Wooden Bench / Swing, Floating Divan by Chiel Kuijl for Wdstck
By Chiel Kuijl , WDSTCK
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary natural wooden seat - Floating Divan by Chiel Kuijl for WDSTCK
Design: Chiel Kuijl
Material: Sustainable European wood
Dimensions: height 110 cm, width 110 cm de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Cadeira curva
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Bring timeless sophistication to any interior with these rare Cadeira Curva chairs by the renowned Joaquim Tenreiro, a key figure in Brazilian mid-century design. Known for his metic...
Category
20th Century Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Imbuia
Meridiana Chair in White by Christophe Pillet for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Meridiana table stems from the ultimate globetrotter chair, revised this year with solid wooden legs. An archetype of the coffee shop or domestic table, it displays a precious ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Nest Egg Hanging Swing Chair Steel Modern In/Outdoor 21st Century Gold Square
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The Nest Egg hanging swing chair is inspired from the organic forms in bird nests and has a natural egg shape. The pattern detail is remin...
Category
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Solar Chair, Cream Boucle Wool Fabric and Brushed Brass Frame, by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
In this collection, Lara Bohinc develops her stellar themes, finding inspiration in planetary and lunar orbits, whose gravitationally curved trajectories drive the lines and shapes of the chairs. Constructed from thin square rod, the chairs are elegant, minimal and delicate.
The Solar chair...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Viva Gradient Peach and Navy Contemporary Sculptural Velvet Bench by Houtique
By Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Viva Gradient Peach and Navy Contemporary Sculptural Velvet Bench by Houtique
Dimensions: D100 x W45 x H48 cm
Materials: Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
Also available in different colours....
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Ego Chair by Karim Rashid for Scarlet Splendour
By Karim Rashid
Located in Kolkata, IN
The ergonomically perfect Ego Chair, made of luxurious nautical resin, has hints of the human face designed cleverly through its back. It is coated in a weat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chairs
Materials
Resin
alvar aalto chair611 40's painted blue
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
designed by alvar aalto .
Manufactured in the 1950s.
I don't know the year it was painted.
The whole thing is painted blue, but there are some areas where it's peeling off.
Currently...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH N.811 Chair in Beechwood with Cane Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bent-beech wood chair and armchair designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1930. A timeless and modern design gives the chair N. 811 an outstanding comfort and lightness. Available in three ve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Light Smoke Leather and Antique Brass Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek and refined, the Inheritance Chair is a great addition to nearly any space.
This variation is upholstered in a creamy, light smoke colored leather. The foam seat cushions have...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Kartell Uncle Jim Armchair in Smoke by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Uncle collection designed by Philippe Starck adds the Uncle Jim armchair. The armchair echoes the lines and sinuosity of Uncle Jack and lends itself to b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Pair of Italian wicker egg chairs, 1960s
Located in Padova, IT
Pair of Italian wicker egg chairs, 1960s
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wicker
Hand-Dyed Indigo Canvas and Blackened Steel Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek and refined, the Inheritance Chair is a great addition to nearly any space.
Inspired by a worn-in pair of jeans and created alongside the team at Simon Miller...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Trevor Chair with Armrests Chrome Finish Steel Frame in Bouclé by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Trevor dining chair makes a perfect accompaniment for the tea room, its round spheres forming backrest and armrests, floating on thin metal rods, just like bonbons speared on cocktai...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Arflex Elettra Chair in Gamma Fabric with Black Metal Base by B.B.P.R
By Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classic of the '50s office, Elettra is the seating you can't do without. Thanks to its timeless style and its elegant proportions, it adapts perfectly to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Jover + Valls, Emeco, and Kartell. 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. Prices for chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $103,950 while the average work can sell for $2,723.