Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Birch
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Linen
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Ash
1950s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Rope, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Walnut, Oak, Beech, Bouclé, Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Pine
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut, Leather, Fabric, Cane, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Teak
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Bouclé
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Acrylic, Leather
2010s Thai Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Hardwood, Canvas, Leather
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Beech
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Mahogany, Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Mohair, Beech
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Oak
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Mahogany
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Birch
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Teak
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Rattan, Oak
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Alpaca
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Foam, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Rope, Oak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Linen, Rattan, Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Rosewood, Leather
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Birch
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Beech
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Bentwood, Faux Leather
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Beech
Scandinavian Modern lounge chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
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