Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chenille, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Steel
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary English George III Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Iron
Early 2000s North American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
2010s German Post-Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
1940s American Industrial Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Cane, Teak
2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
Early 19th Century European Georgian Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Maple, Walnut
2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
1930s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
1940s Italian Industrial Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Rattan, Teak
Early 2000s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Other
2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Walnut
2010s Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Wood
1990s Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Plastic
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Cane, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Brass, Iron
Early 2000s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mohair, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fiberglass
1930s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Italian Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Velvet
Early 2000s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Birch
20th Century Classical Roman Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
19th Century English Chesterfield Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
Antique and Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
An essential part of every office or home workstation, office chairs and desk chairs are critically important to your comfort and getting the job done.
Desk chairs have evolved over time. While writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson pined for a wider range of motion and introduced some improvements to his English-style Windsor chair, inventing the swivel chair along the way. So the next time you roll, recline or swivel at your vintage desk, remember: The third president of the United States had a lot to do with that functionality.
Changes in the availability of resources have also led to innovations in desk chair design. After World War II, for example, optimistic American designers made use of wartime materials in their efforts to create practical domestic goods.
Mid-century modernism is the name given to the broad postwar time period that prioritized thoughtful design. Journalist Cara Greenberg, who coined the term “mid-century modernism,” cites “ergonomic wisdom” as part of the reason for the longevity of the era’s furnishings, and when it comes to sitting in a desk chair for hours at a time, what could be more important than ergonomic support?
As mid-century modernism was marked by resourcefulness and boundless creativity — and produced designers who, in most cases, prioritized comfort and support — it follows that all mid-century chairs are not the same. Nowhere is this perhaps more evident than at Herman Miller. The legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer got its start in the office, with design director George Nelson enlisting the likes of Charles and Ray Eames to produce desk chairs and lounge chairs that are still celebrated today. Elsewhere at the time, the numerous pieces Florence Knoll created for Knoll’s office furniture line were envisioned as design solutions for the changing needs of residential and office spaces.
If you’re working remotely and streamlined seating isn’t your thing, don’t be afraid of making a statement with your office chair. Introduce a touch of drama to your video calls by way of 19th-century desk accessories and the alluring forms we typically associate with antique desk chairs designed in the Empire and Regency styles. For a minimalist touch, a spare, utilitarian Industrial-style office chair can work in any space but will fit in particularly well amid the exposed brick and steel architecture that characterizes a loft apartment.
An inspiring home office cleverly mixes materials and styles to create a welcoming place of productivity and comfort, and if you’re gathering with colleagues at your company HQ, an array of wood, leather and metal office chairs can help integrate disparate textures in a conference room or any other collaborative space. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse collection of office and desk chairs today.
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