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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Rock4 Purple Armchair with Leather Seat by Marc Sadler
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
Captivating geometrical lines and a minimalist flair characterize this exquisite armchair. A statement piece of contemporary sophistication, it is entirely crafted of aluminum boasti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Cimabue White Maple Chair Limited Edition by Ferdinando Meccani
Located in Milan, IT
Part of an exclusive limited edition of 20 numbered pieces launched in 2021, this exceptional design was first created in 1994 by Ferdinando Meccani. A tribute to Cimabue, Italian pa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Organic Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Old Silver Metal Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 3 Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Old Silver Metal & Dark Brown Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
BoConcept Ottawa Chair by Karim Rashid, Set of Four
By BoConcept
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the BoConcept Ottawa Chair by renowned designer Karim Rashid, now available in a set of four. This sleek and modern chair features a unique curved design, crafted with th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of Two Modern Dining Chair Gropius CS1 in Different Fabrics by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and concise...
Category
2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Velvet
Lee Broom - Hanging Hoop Chair Black
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, NY
Suspended from above, two brass plated steel circular hoops join to create the Hanging Hoop Chair, with a seat and backrest upholstered in Kvadrat wool.
Finishing:
Satin black stee...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Table Bar Stool w Backrest Black Smoke Metal & Dark Brown Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary table stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility o...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Gervasoni Inout Armchair in Berlin 06 Upholstery and Oiled Iroko by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Enveloping and comfortable armchair, Inout 701 has a slatted structure: it is made of oiled Iroko, particularly durable wood because it is naturally resistant to water and moisture. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Sculptural Kitchen Counter Bar Stool w Backrest Brass Metal & Dark Brown Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair Contemporary Bar Stool Black Smoke Metal & Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Chair / Table Height Stool w. Backrest Old Silver Steel & Navy Blue Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary table stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility o...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Maple Tilt Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple tilt easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue.
Materials: Natural maple
Also available in walnut.
Dimensions: 95 cm x 92 cm x H 62 cm
Tilt is handmade...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Maple
Vienna Armchair, Modern Design in Wood and Straw, Black Felt Upholstered Seat
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Vienna is an extraordinarily comfortable and elegant armchair designed by Emmanuel Gallina who loves to quote Brancusi when saying that “simplicity is complexity resolved”. Inspired to the 1950s of Marcel Gascoin, but also to Vienna at the end of the 19th century. A tribute to Alfred Sloan’s American pragmatism joined to European styling and, in this particular case, to the renowned Italian talent constantly aiming to harmonize beauty and functionality.
In solid beech and straw, Vienna is a perfect combination between digital machines and handcraft. The structure is in solid beech. The back is in hand-braided Vienna straw fixed in a milling. The padded seat is upholstered and lined in different fabric categories: cotton, felt, linen, eco-leather, wool, velvet or can be coated with C.O.M. fabric. Finishing is in natural beech or beech painted walnut Canaletto. In the collection you can also find Vienna chair, Vienna soft chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Straw, Beech
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Oak & Blue Fabric Chair by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This modernist office chair was designed by Hans J. Wegner for the Danish manufacturer GETAMA Gedsted during the 1960s. The raw, geometric frame...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Table Bar Stool w. Backrest Aged Brass Metal & Natural Tan Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary table stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility o...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Table Bar Stool w. Backrest Old Silver Metal & Cognac Leather Organic Design
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary table stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility o...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Faux Ostrich Leather Living Room Chair in the Style of the Jacobsen Egg Chair
Located in Stratford, CT
This swivel living room chair has been newly upholstered in faux ostrich leather. Its base is polished aluminum, and the frame is molded fibe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather
Organic Design Contemporary Bar Stool Aged Brass Metal & Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary barstool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double 3.5 ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
1990's Magnus Olesen Lotus Chair with Red Upholstery and White Ash Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1990's Modernist Magnus Olesen Lotus chair by Rud Thygensen & Jonny Sørensen. Red upholstered seating with a vacuum molded white ash wood body and metal legs. In original condition w...
Category
1990s Danish Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
8x Shaker Modern Side Chairs by Ambrozia, Walnut, Black Steel, Leather & Cowhide
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
Here' s a set of 8 Shaker modern chair. They are handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame with a leather upholstered seat and Cow Hide Hair back. We have a large variety of leather and cow hide hair skin option. We'll make sure you have the right unique set of chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Organic Sculptural Contemporary Bar Stool Black Smoke Metal & Navy Blue Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary barstool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double 3.5 ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Vintage GF GoodForm Aluminum Task Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of vintage GF GoodForm aluminum task chairs.
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Vienna Chair Contemporary Design in Walnut and Straw, Blue Felt Upholstered Seat
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Vienna is an extraordinarily comfortable and elegant chair designed by Emmanuel Gallina who loves to quote Brancusi when saying that “simplicity is complexity resolved”. Inspired to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Straw, Beech
Kitchen Counter Barstool with Backrest Old Silver Metal and Navy Blue Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 3 Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Aged Brass Metal Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
VIDAL GRAU, Six Chairs 1980 Immaculate Condition
By Vidal Grau
Located in Madrid, ES
VIDAL GRAU, 6 chairs
Production Spain approx. 1980
6 chairs with 24 kt golden metal tubular structure, seat and armrests in black leather, upper part of the backrest in mahogany wood...
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Couture Wooden-Legged Chair by Stefano Bigi
Located in Milan, IT
This chair was designed to fit perfectly into any space. The seat's shape holds up the back, ensuring comfort, while four Canaletto-walnut legs support the structure. The shell is in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of 3 Classic Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Aged Brass Metal & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Modern Leather and Steel BoConcept Jet Chair
By BoConcept
Located in East Freetown, MA
Pair of heavy steel and leather BoConcept arm chairs. Finely detailed with sturdy steel base.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Minimalist "Bruna" chair in painted steel and fabric upholstery
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Alessandra Delgado was once thinking about wire. What would emerge if one started to fold lengths of wire randomly? Bruna chair is the materialization of t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Molle Armchair White
Located in Milan, IT
This armchair is made from hand-folded, galvanized, powder-coated, stainless steel. Made in Italy by expert artisans using historic techniques, its unique, multi-slatted back offers ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Customizable Designer Chair In Scratch-Resistant PU Leather
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This minimalist chair is a striking piece of furniture that combines modern aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship.
Chair Overview
Design
Contemporary Style: The Frank Chair feat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Faux Leather
Set of 4 ROWLING chairs, Available Now
Located in Frazão, Porto
Set of 4 ROWLING chairs: STOCK UNITS - Available for immediate delivery
Rowling is a chair entirely upholstered in fabric, equipped with an enveloping backrest that in the back has ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Pair Classic Contemporary Bar Stool Aged Brass Steel & Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Deco Henri Armchair in Designers Guild Velvet with Walnut feet
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
With its soft and sumptuous curves, The Henri Armchair presents elegant style and optimal comfort. Shown here: upholstered in Designers Guild Varese ‘Linen’ cotton velvet. Feet in na...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” Lounge Chair in Original Fabric, Italy, 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” Lounge Chair in Original Fabric, Italy, 1970s
Designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in 1970, the “Alky” lounge chair is a celebrated icon of Italian mo...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Pair Classic Contemporary Bar Stool Silver Aged Metal & Dark Brown Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 3 Contemporary Bar Stool Black Smoke Metal & Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Black Smoke Steel & Navy Blue Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Phloem Studio Zoe Chair, Modern Maple Dining Chair with Leather Upholstery
Located in Stevenson, WA
Phloem Studio Zoe chair is a modern contemporary solid wood armchair handmade custom to order.
Zoe is a highly crafted, highly comfortable lightweight armcha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Trouvailles Furniture Glossy Varnished and Upholstered Accent Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Trouvailles Furniture Co. Glossy Varnished and Upholstered Accent Chair. Measures 18" in width, 23" in depth, 35" in h3ight with a seat height of 18".
Category
20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Brass Metal Dark Brown Leather Contemporary Style
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair Contemporary Bar Stool, Aged Brass Metal & Black Saddle Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary barstool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double 3.5 ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair Contemporary Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Brass Metal & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Black Smoke Steel & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
"Julia" chair in solid wood with armrests
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
DGD Backless Counter Stool, Powder Coated Steel, Oak, Wool, Handmade in USA
By David Gaynor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DGD counter stool finds formality and comfort in the industrial and organic.
Seat frame shown in walnut and available ash, cherry, maple, or w...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Lee Broom - Musico Chair
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, NY
The Musico Chair features an original silhouette inspired by Lee Broom’s long-held passion for mid-century design and, perhaps more significantly, his great love of classical music, ...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Classic Contemporary Bar Stool Aged Brass Metal Finish & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Classic Elegant Contemporary Bar Stool Black Smoke Metal & Dark Brown Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
LOUIS Black Chair/Armchair Sandblasted Oak/Burgundy Cowhide Seat, Mandy Graham
By Mandy Graham
Located in Torrance, CA
LOUIS chair by Mandy Graham
LOUIS
L01 - Chair / Armchair / Desk / Dining chair
Sandblasted oak/hairy cowhide seat
Measures: 24" W x 23" D x 33" H
A celebration of modern classic silhouettes with luxurious materials, this collection brings clean-lined refinement to another level. Utilizing honed Italian Rosso Levanto...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Cowhide, Oak
Set Contemporary Chaise Lounge & Footstool Old Silver Metal & Navy Blue Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Contemporary chaise lounge & footstool old silver steel and blue saddle leather. Wanderlust Collection
Serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such ...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
Modernist Organic Vintage Three Foldable Dining Chairs Beech Mesh Chrome, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist organic vintage three vintage chromed metal, beech and
Viennese mesh dining chairs or chairs, 1970s, Italy.
A wonderful set of three (3) dining chairs with a chromed met...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Tom Dixon S-Chair in Gold Leather and Metal Structure by Cappellini 2000s
By Cappellini, Tom Dixon
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
The S-chair has a metal structure and seat in gold leather, it was designed by Tom Dixon and produced by Cappellini in the 2000s.
Tom Dixon’s iconic S-Chair is an object with a hand...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Two Cherry Wood Chairs from 1930s from the Circle of Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
These two chairs come from a time in Austrian design where craftsmanship and design are combined with the best materials to make beautiful furniture...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Cherry
Opinion Ciatti Mammamia High Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia high chair with die-cast aluminium shell, steel structure and rubber-covered footrest. Lacquered, not for outdoor use. Non stackable. Available in gold structure with white,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set Artisan Chaise Lounge & Footstool Aged Brass Steel & Navy Blue Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Contemporary style Wanderlust Coll. Chaise longue aged brass steel and navy blue leather.
Serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-t...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
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.