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Mid-Century Modern Sofas

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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Item type: New and Made To Order
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Ava Settee 2-Seat Sea Green Seat and Textured Grey Backrest Wooden Feet
Located in Lisbon, PT
Comfortable and elegant, Ava settee is a versatile piece where creativity meets no boundaries: fabrics, solid woods, lacquers and brass fittings are chosen and combined in many ways ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

Milo Sofa, Avocado/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

DOOQ Mid-Century Modern Malibu Sofa Weaved Copper Orange Texture, w=240 cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Like a warm embrace, Malibu Sofa welcomes you to stay within and relax. An elevated homage to the golden age of midcentury design and organic architecture, it radiates through its un...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Bouclé, Velvet

DOOQ Organic Modern Sofa with Rich Weaved Copper Texture Malibu, w=200 cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Like a warm embrace, Malibu Sofa welcomes you to stay within and relax. An elevated homage to the golden age of midcentury design and organic architecture, it radiates through its un...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Bouclé, Velvet

Milo Sofa, Ocean/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Ava Settee 2-Seat Olive Green Seat and Textured Fabric Backrest Wooden Feet
Located in Lisbon, PT
Comfortable and elegant, Ava settee is a versatile piece where creativity meets no boundaries: fabrics, solid woods, lacquers and brass fittings are chosen and combined in many ways ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

Milo Sofa, Shell/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Ava Settee 3-Seat Sea Green Seat and Textured Fabric Backrest Wooden Feet
Located in Lisbon, PT
Comfortable and elegant, Ava settee is a versatile piece where creativity meets no boundaries, fabrics, solid woods, lacquers and brass fittings are chosen and combined in many ways ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

Milo Sofa, Cranberry/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Avocado/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Earth/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Taupe/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Cranberry/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Terra Cotta/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Shell/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Cranberry / Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Earth/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Cameo/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Terra Cotta/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Earth / Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Modern Leather Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Italian Mid-Century Modern style leather upholstered sofa with a bold box form raised on a minimalist iron leg base. Dimensions: 74" W x 33" D x 32" H Seat 63" W x 20" D x 17"...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Milo Sofa, Taupe/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Evergreen/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Modular Couch Rubik with Soft Velvet
Located in Lisbon, PT
Rubik is a customizable piece by being completely modular. Choose from different sizes, Rubik S, Rubik M and Rubik L and a great range of materials to choose from. Made to order. ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Milo Sofa, Violet/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Ocean/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Cameo/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Avocado/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Taupe/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Terra Cotta / Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Violet/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Evergreen/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Ming/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Violet/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Cameo/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Marmelade/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Ming/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Bittersweet/Umber Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Marmelade/Creme Brulee Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Evergreen/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Ming/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Ocean/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Marmelade/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Milo Sofa, Bittersweet/Chesterfield Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Patricia Urquiola ''Trampoline' Outdoor Sofa, Steel, Rope and Fabric by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Outdoor sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Patricia Urquiola interprets the happiness of life outdoors with a collection full of playful...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Modern Modular Curved Green Sofa with Side Tables and Gold Details
Located in Porto, PT
Cluedo Sofa is a curved modern sofa upholstered in velvet, with surprising side table marquetry details incorporated. A luxury sofa offers a modern vibe to any contemporary living ro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

Lime Green Bench Cushion Sofa with Maze Pattern Cushions and Sunflower Feet
Located in Greenwich, CT
Parisian style sofa with bench cushion and unusual side cushions which sit on the sofa deck versus the cushion. Cushions are foam wrapped in do...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

Midcentury Pair of Kidney Shaped Sofas in the Style of Weiman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of kidney-shaped sofas feature a nice sculptural modern design, with a curved arched back. These sofas are newly produced and have been handcrafted with a solid hardwood frame...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Large Module, White
Located in Paris, FR
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Small module Measures: L120cm / P96cm / H70cm / Assise H42cm Modular sofa: assemble different modules to create your ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Foam

Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Blue Velvet
Located in Greenwich, CT
This Mid-Century Modern inspired sofa (known as "The Carlton") was hand built at our studio in Norwalk, Connecticut. The three cushioned sofa features sleek track arms and firm loose...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet

'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Large Module, Green
Located in Paris, FR
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Small module Measures: L 120cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Assise H 42cm Modular sofa: assemble different modules to create y...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Foam

Sofa Hand-Made in Chicago in Any Dimension with Brass Feet Priced Without Fabric
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic Mid-Century Modern design sofa made to order in any dimension here in Chicago. Frame is constructed from hard-wood, 8-way hand-tied coil sp...
Category

2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 3, White
Located in Paris, FR
STUDIO Sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 3 (2x large,1x small, 2x armrest): L300cm / P96cm / H70cm / Seating H42cm Modular sofa: assemble different modu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Foam, Wool

Contemporary Sofa Offered in Light Teal Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Finish ebony on wood. Upholstered in rich teal velvet. 100% cotton velvet. Available in COM. Handcrafted in Spain. Contact us to enquire about COM/COL pro...
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Wood

'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Large Module, Grey
Located in Paris, FR
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Small module Measures: L 120cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Assise H 42cm Modular sofa: assemble different modules to create y...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Foam

'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 3, Grey
Located in Paris, FR
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 3 (2x large,1x small, 2x armrest): L 300cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modular sofa: assemble ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Foam

'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 4, Grey
Located in Paris, FR
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 4 (1x large,1x corner, 1x medium, 2x armrest): L 230-190cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modular...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Foam

'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 3, Green
Located in Paris, FR
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 3 (2x large, 1x small, 2x armrest): L 300cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modular sofa: assemble...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Foam

Mid-century Modern sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern sofas 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 sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sofas, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Arflex, Marie Burgos Design, and Antonio Citterio. 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 sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $203 and tops out at $430,372 while the average work can sell for $6,767.

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