Evoking rusticity and relaxation through simple and elegant designs, vintage Adirondack furniture originated in the Adirondack Mountains of northeastern New York. The most famous piece is the Adirondack chair, which dates to 1903.
With its ample armrests and sturdy but comfortable slanted seat, the reclined Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee for his own country home. The postwar golden age of modern patio and garden furniture production — led by the likes of Brown Jordan, Knoll, Salterini and Woodard — was decades away at the time, and there were few pieces of furniture specifically created for outdoor use.
Lee, a Massachusetts-born Harvard graduate raised in a wealthy family, was no furniture designer. He merely needed a durable, rugged chair for afternoons in the sun while he was vacationing on Lake Champlain in Westport, New York, in the summer. The amateur woodworker used just one wooden plank cut into 11 segments that were jointed together for his now-legendary seat, which is said to have been made of hemlock, hickory or basswood.
The story of the Adirondack chair continues with Lee’s friend, carpenter Harry Bunnell, covertly patenting the chair and going on to produce it as the Westport Plank chair for a growing audience over the next two decades. Over a century later, the Adirondack chair has gone through several design evolutions while maintaining its popularity and basic form with slats of wood such as pine offering comfort both indoors and out.
The widespread demand for rustic Adirondack outdoor furniture was bolstered by the turn-of-the-century establishment of rural escapes to treat diseases such as tuberculosis. The low-slung Adirondack chair became common in these places of convalescence, allowing patients to recline and breathe in the country air. It also complemented the camp-style architecture that was prevalent in the Adirondacks for recreation as well as restoration, where rugged furniture with exposed wood and minimal carving filled interiors and wide porches.
Today, Adirondack chairs are made in a range of materials and can be found around the world, from ski resorts to lakeside piers, their durability and classic form making them an enduring favorite for spending time in nature.
Find vintage Adirondack chairs, benches, lounge chairs, decorative objects, folk art and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Vintage Blanket Covered Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Pendleton Plaid blanket covered beautiful ottoman with wooden George Smith legs and original Brass casters. Great comfort, when you sit on this ottoman you sink in a bit just...
Wool
19thc Suede Top Drum Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic Glendale High School Drum was made into a ottoman with a suede top cushion and feet added to the base. The condition is very good and super sturdy.
Pine
$525
H 15.36 in W 18.51 in D 14.57 in
Custom Made Modern Ottoman with Vintage Turkish Anatolian Kilim Cover & Oak Wood
Located in Tokyo, JP
We made an oak wood ottoman using the undamaged part of the precious and high-quality old & antique kilims that cannot be repaired as a whole. Like a painting, a part of the scenery ...
Wool, Oak
$2,530
H 7.88 in W 29.53 in D 11.03 in
ViCTORIAN TURKEY WORK KILIM PERSIAN CARPET UPHOLSTERED OTTOMAN BLANKET CHEST
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this wonderfully decorative large Persian-style carpet upholstered ottoman storage chest, beautifully finish...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Custom Made Sheepskin Covered Oak Ottoman
Located in London, England
Dagmar design custom-made round ottoman Custom-made ottoman developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These ottomans have oiled oak ...
Sheepskin, Oak
Welsh Blanket Ottoman
Located in Petworth, GB
A one of a kind ottoman made in house at Hobo. Upholstered in a vintage Welsh blanket in a usual pink, blue and cream colour way. Fresh and versatile, id...
Textile
Slip-Covered Ottoman
Located in Ballard, CA
The Manou ottoman combines ultimate comfort with the refinement of an unique profile, carefully crafted in our workroom. Custom sizes and finishes available.
Oak, Walnut
Stone Washed Linen Slip Covered Cocktail Ottoman
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Introducing the Lilah Slip Covered Cocktail Ottoman, crafted from premium stone washed linen with a slip cover featuring detailed corners. This elegant piece is constructed with a st...
Linen
Pair of Square Pillow Top Tufted Billy Baldwin Parson Ottomans
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Square Pillow Top Tufted Billy Baldwin Ottomans. These 1970's parsons style benches feature a blue and pink floral tapestry style upholstery. Use as stools under a bench or e...
Upholstery, Wood
$525
H 15.36 in W 18.51 in D 14.57 in
Custom Made Modern Ottoman with Vintage Turkish Anatolian Kilim Cover & Oak Wood
Located in Tokyo, JP
We made an oak wood ottoman using the undamaged part of the precious and high-quality old & antique kilims that cannot be repaired as a whole. Like a painting, a part of the scenery ...
Wool, Oak
$1,400 / set
H 18.5 in W 20.25 in D 16.25 in
Pair of Mid Century Burnt Orange Gold Pillow Top Ottomans
By Milo Baughman, Billy Baldwin
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Mid Century Ottomans in the style of Milo Baughman or Billy Baldwin . Burnt Orange rust colored. Both have fading and discoloration from sun exposure . One ottoman has a blac...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,225Sale Price|30% Off
H 16 in W 24 in D 24 in
Modernist Square Oak Suede Buckled Strap Ottoman Foot Stool Bench 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century square ottoman with open wood base and a cushioned top finished in blue and brown lattice pattern upholstery and crossed with suede leather straps.
Upholstery, Hardwood
Very Fine Leather Top X Base Table/ Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A caramel color pieced leather seat with a separate top cushion. With shaped X supports on two sides in a dark rosewood stain. Sturdy and very well made. Measures 43.5 wide by 43.5”...
Leather, Wood
Alma Slip Covered Ottoman ~ Greige
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Our Alma Ottoman features a tailored linen slipcover that adds a touch of relaxed sophistication, perfectly complemented by sturdy white oak legs. The casters are an antique brass color, they provide style and function. The removable slip cover...
Linen
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ottoman
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ottoman. This lovely antique French oval ottoman or pouf has a beautiful desirable distressed painted finish and has been newly upholstered in a c...
Velvet, Wood
Custom Made Sheepskin Covered Oak Ottoman
Located in London, England
Dagmar design custom-made round ottoman Custom-made ottoman developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. T...
Sheepskin, Oak
Ottoman Ottoman
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Martyn Lawrence Bullard's custom rectangular Ottoman ottoman. Inspired by the throne legs of an Oottoman Empire piece in the Topkapi Palace.
Wood
Early 20th C Ottoman Upholstered in a Distressed Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Nice Early 20th C ottoman upholstered in a distressed leather.
Leather, Wood
Vintage Velvet Log Cabin Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960' - 1970's velvet log cabin pattern velvet ottoman.
Velvet
Leather & Hand Woven Rush Seat Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand made ottoman has a hand woven rush seat with a custom made vintage leather cushion seat. This ottoman is so comfortable as a seat or sid...
Pine
Early 20th Century Ottoman with New Leather Upholstered Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing handmade early 20th century pine frame ottoman has a amazing newly upholstered seat in Fine thick tan leather. The quality of the leather is faantastic !!!
Wood, Leather
Horn Ottoman with Deer Skin Hide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky handmade ottoman is more of a midcentury piece in fantastic condition Very strong and sturdy condition.
Hide
Mouth Watering Ralph Lauren Leather and Kilim Club Chair and Ottoman
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Destined to be everybody's favorite chair and ottoman set, having gorgeous distressed supple leather with rich kilim rug upholstered elements. Measures: Ottoman 33 inches W, 25 D, 2...
Leather, Textile