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Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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 legendary 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.

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Number in Set: Set of 11
Classic Leather Office Chair, Chateau Blue
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classic leather office chair in Chateau blue. This stately chair has a smooth leather interior and exterior and is accented with nailhead trim accents. It rests on a 5 prong base. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Saarinen Executive Armchair in Saddle Leather, Swivel Base
Located in Wilton, CT
We have been restoring Saarinen executive chairs for years in every fabric one can imagine, right in our very own workroom. We’ve restored these chairs using a supple Italian Leather...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bumper desk chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Task Chair Bronze 4-star swivel conference room chair in a green tweed fabric....
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Eames Aluminium Group Management Chairs for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration up to 6 Aluminum Group chairs in black leather designed by Eames for Herman Miller. All in very good original condition showing minimal wear. Much better than ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Upholstered wood frame contemporary Eugenio Dining Chair by Luteca
Located in New York, NY
This contemporary dining chair with elegant scissor legs and floating back is inspired by the Mexican midcentury chairs of Spanish designer ...
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Eames for Herman Miller Navy Blue Shell Chairs on H Bases
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original 1960s molded fiberglass shell chairs in Navy Blue, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Gleaming shells are in original condition, each with a distinct threa...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Ralph Lauren Leather Wrapped "Cliff House" Desk Chair, 2000s
Located in Coronado, CA
Ralph Lauren leather wrapped "Cliff House" desk chair in black leather, inspired by the designs of Jacques Adnet. This piece was made in Italy. The frame is comprised of hand-stitche...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern Director's Desk Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
This chair features a sophisticated black leather backrest and seat, paired with a rich wooden beech frame and elegant brass accents for a touch of luxury. Perfect for those who app...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Toshiyuki Kita 'Canta' Swivel Armchair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Designed by Toshiyuki Kita in 2000. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A design that responds to the needs of modern-day society and the rhythms of life in the era of the home office...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Ochre Yellow Eames for Herman Miller Vintage 1960s Fiberglass Shell Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multiple Available. Original Molded Fiberglass Shell Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Vintage shell chairs are prized for their attractive patina, distinct thread texture and beautiful depth of color seen in the fiberglass material. Shell is stamped with the Herman Miller emblem underneath. Dated to the 1970s. OAM boasts one of the largest collections of vintage Eames fiberglass shell...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Brilliant Yellow Eames for Herman Miller Vintage 1960s Fiberglass Shell Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multiple Available. Original Molded Fiberglass Shell Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Vintage shell chairs are prized for their attractive patina, distinct thread texture and beautiful depth of color seen in the fiberglass material. Shell is stamped with the Herman Miller emblem underneath. Dated to the 1970s. OAM boasts one of the largest collections of vintage Eames fiberglass shell...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Greige Light Grey Eames for Herman Miller Vintage 1960s Fiberglass Shell Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multiple Available. Original Molded Fiberglass Shell Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Vintage shell chairs are prized for their attractive patina, distinct thread texture and beautiful depth of color seen in the fiberglass material. Shell is stamped with the Herman Miller emblem underneath. Dated to the 1970s. OAM boasts one of the largest collections of vintage Eames fiberglass shell...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Modern Leather Desk Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A sophisticated take on the traditional desk chair, with a curved, open back and softly upholstered seat in a supple taupe leather. An exposed ash wood detail on its swivel base adds...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Eames Aluminium Group Management Chairs for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration up to 18 aluminum group chairs in black leather designed by Eames for Herman Miller. All in very good original condition showing minimal wear. With manual tilt...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Toshiyuki Kita 'Biki' Swivel Armchair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Designed by Toshiyuki Kita in 2000. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A design that responds to the needs of modern-day society and the rhythms of life in the era of the home office...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Brown Leather Management Chair
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Stunning authentic mid-century modern Eames aluminum group management chair. A timeless design classic and contemporary with innovative comfort features. One of Herman Miller most po...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Chairs by Rud Thygesen & Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen, 1970s, Set of 24
Located in Antwerp, BE
A high quality of curved laminated wooden stacking chairs with woven wool upholstery in olive green. Set of 24 stacking chairs available, price ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wool, Wood

Classic Arne Vodder Leather And Teak Chair For Mahjongg Holland 1964
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic and funky chair designed by Arne Voder (Denmark) and manufactured in Holland circa 1964. Sculptural teak frame newly reupholstered in brown leather. Perfect as a desk or o...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Red Leather Eames EA208 Soft Pad Swivel Chair
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
These are very nice leather examples of this model of Eames soft pad office chairs, they cost a small fortune new, and these look and feel nicer ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Preben Fabricius Jorgen Kastholm FK6725 chairs set Kill 1964
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super large set of high back conference office chairs model FK6725 designed by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm and manufactured by Kill International, Germany 1964. These so-cal...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Mid-Century Modern Max Stacker Conference Office Chairs by Steelcase, 1970s
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Max Max-Stacker office conference room chairs by Steelcase in iconic orange. These comfortable lounge or desk chairs f...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Large Stock of Stackable Galvanitas S17 Industrial Dining Chairs
Located in Voorburg, NL
Highly wanted and in multiple colors and quantities, with bespoke service available: the Industrial S17 stacking chairs by Galvanitas. These Sculptural chairs are made for optimal co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Toshiyuki Kita 'Aki' Swivel Armchair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Designed by Toshiyuki Kita in 2000. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A design that responds to the needs of modern-day society and the rhythms of life in the era of the home offi...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Italian Midcentury Office Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian 1960s swivel office chair metal frame base with the new leather upholstery.  
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

1960s Danish Design and Scandinavian Style Wooden and Bouclé Fabric Chair
Located in Tourcoing, FR
1960s Danish Design and Scandinavian style wooden and grey Bouclé fabric chair, around the dining table, it will be perfect in the office too!   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

William Hands Orion Sofa Tan Brown Leather Office Captains Armchair
By William Hands
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale 1 of 17 original William Hans Orion brown leather office chairs RR £1299 These are part of a luxury b...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

1 Knoll Sapper Visitor Dining Conference Chair Sled Base
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Sapper visitor chair with sled base. 1979 Visitor sled chair by the German industrial designer, Richard Sapper (1932-2015), for the Knoll company. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

1 Knoll Pollock Executive Swivel Armchair Black Leather
Located in Pasadena, TX
Knoll Pollock Executive Swivel armchair black leather 1956 Design Charles Pollock’s 1965 executive chair, now considered one of Knoll’s most memorable designs, features a chrome rim that supports the chair both structurally and visually Stainless steel cap over steel armature base on casters or glides. Tufted leather with polyurethane and polyester padding over molded shell...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

1960s Danish Design and Scandinavian Style Wooden and Velvet Fabric Chair
Located in Tourcoing, FR
1960s Danish Design and Scandinavian style wooden and velvet fabric chair, around the dining table, it will be perfect in the office too!  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

1960s Danish Design and Scandinavian Style Wooden and Bouclé Fabric Chair
Located in Tourcoing, FR
1960s Danish Design and Scandinavian style wooden and white bouclé fabric chair, around the dining table, it will be perfect in the office too!  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Six Industrial Stacking Armchairs by W. Gispen for Riemersma, 1950s
By Riemersma, Willem H. Gispen
Located in Antwerp, BE
These chairs designed by W H. Gispen and were made in the 1950s for Riemersma. The backs of the chairs are made of black lacquered wood, the arm-rests are naturally teakwood and ha...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Tan Saddle Leather Desk Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern tan saddle leather desk chair with brass nailhead trim. A truly timeless classic style crafted in rich tan leather. This ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Henrik Tengler, HT 2014 Brown Leather Time Chair by One Collection
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
The tme chair is a dynamic and comfortable conference chair designed by Henrik Tengler in 2012. The chair is purposely designed not to follow current trends. Instead its aesthetic resembles the cosmopolitan functionalism of the Bauhaus period. Henrik Tengler has achieved this by incorporating an open steel frame and adding rm cushions. The 12 mm steel tube construction of the chair ensures unbeatable strength in spite of the delicate expression of the chair. Furthermore, the oversized cushions create a titillating exchange between the carrying and carried elements of the chair. Lastly, time and effort has gone into shaping every detail of the chair, giving it a highly exclusive feel. The chair allows for dynamic use and positions by responding to your movements. With clever features and ergonomic support, the time chair...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Banquet Hall, Meeting, Restaurant, Conference Chairs
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Mid-Century Modern style Banquet hall, meeting, conference chairs Dual leather colours available Material steel 1" x 1" thickness 3/16" Painted frame finish Seat cushion 2-3/8" Minim...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Leather and Steel Mid-Century Modern Designer Office Chair
Located in PARIS, FR
The minimal and elegant design of the Mayet Office Chair gives it a unique style in the world of clunky office chairs. Thanks to its ergonomic design, the Mayet Office Chair provides...
Category

2010s Romanian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

1 KFI Stackable Side Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
KFI Stackable side chair Contemporary molded dining chair with steel frame. Polyurethane glides to help protect floors from damage. Stacks 5 h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Laminate

Mid-Century Stacking Chairs w/ Grey Plastic Seats & Black Textured Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Stacking School or Restaurant Chairs with Grey Plastic Seating and Black Enameled Frame. In original condition with wear consistent with ...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Rare Red Prouve Style Stacking Chairs with Dark Metal Compass Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Prouve style Industrial Stacking chairs with Fritz Hansen style shell seat in red with dark Enameled metal frames by Galvanitas. Creative linking to make rows. In original condition ...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Brown Leather Desk Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern brown leather desk chair with brass nailhead trim. A truly timeless classic style crafted in rich brown leather. This practical and f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Mid-Century Vintage Blue Mini Swivel Armchair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Swivel armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - totally original and unique armchair. The armchair has undergone a thorough renovation: ...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Preben Fabricius Jorgen Kastholm Bird Chairs Set Kill 1964
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very large set of high back executive chairs model FK6725 designed by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm, manufactured by Kill International, Germany 1964. These so called bird cha...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
We have a set of 12 like new Eero Saarinen executive armchairs. These would be wonderful re-upholstered in something for your home or office. Chrome is bright and shiny, foam is very...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pierre Jeanneret Office Chair
Located in Soho, London, GB
Office chairs from the administrative buildings of Chandigarh (PJ-SI-28-B).  
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Teak

1 Nicos Zographos Bucket Chair with Grey Circle Upholstery
Located in Pasadena, TX
One bucket chair by Nicos Zographos. These chairs have a five star steel base on coasters and the upholstery is a gray fabric with circle patterns. These timeless chairs would look ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

20th Century Vintage White and Blue Leaves Velvet Swivel Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Swivel armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eames for Herman Miller High Back Aluminum Group Chairs
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Ask for custom shipping quote An icon of Mid-Century Modern design that continues to be produced today. Manual height and tilt. 50th anniversary addition premium black leather that ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Leather Desk Conference Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Ward Bennett for Brickel and associates barrel-back leather chair 30 available 4-star anodized bronze base swivel conference room chair in a ...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Mid-century Modern office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern office chairs and desk 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 office chairs and desk chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern office chairs and desk chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original office chairs and desk chairs, popular names associated with this style include Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Knoll, and Charles Pollock. 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 office chairs and desk chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $150,900 while the average work can sell for $1,928.

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