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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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.
Borge Mogensen Leather 3-Seater Sofa Model.2209 1970's
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Designed by Børge Mogensen in 1963, the "Model 2209" is a lounge sofa masterpiece that epitomizes the golden age of Danish design. While inheriting the traditional stylistic foundati...
Leather, Oak
Set of 2 Two - Seater Sofas "Triennale", Design: Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1950s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of 2 This "IX Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The pair of sofas has an metal frame and seat cushions on Pirelli str...
Iron
KK 5011 - 3 pers. sofa in natural leather by Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
KK 5011 - 3 seater sofa in patinated natural leather with profiled frame in mahogany. From 1935. Designed by Kaare Klint and made by Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier.
Leather, Mahogany
$1,780Sale Price|66% Off
Midcentury Italian Orange Velvet Sofa Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti Attributed
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian Orange Velvet Sofa Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti Attributed.
Iron
Marco Zanuso Style Mid-Century Modern Velvet Sofa "Lady", 50s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Lady Marco Zanuso style sofa. The sofa has been restored and upholstered in blue velvet, the feet are in beech wood. Immediately after the war, Marco Zanuso began a fruitful collabo...
Velvet, Beech, Fir
Fantastic Signed Milo Baughman Chrome Three-Seat Sofa, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fantastic signed Milo Baughman chrome leg 3 seater sofa. I love the style of the long thin arms along with the fabulous chrome frame. This piece is perfect for a restyle or to use ...
Chrome, Steel
Compact Sofa By Ray And Charles Eames For Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern Compact sofa was designed by the iconic American husband-and-wife design team Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller in 1954. The Compact model was originall...
Steel, Chrome
Chrome Bauhaus Robert Slezák 3-Seat Sofa, 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of chrome, fabric - Original upholstery - Dimensions of mattress: W 185cm x D 83cm - Good, original condition.
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, USA, 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and iconic "Cloud" sofa designed by the influential Adrian Pearsall. Audacious in it's scope, shape and materials used this sofa is a true American masterpiece. Wi...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Leather Two Seat Sofa by Wittmann
By Wittmann
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very comfortable vintage leather two seat sofa by Wittmann. This was made in Austria, it dates from the 1980’s. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully designe...
Leather
1950s Italian 2-Seater Sofa , Restored
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered in Velvet fabric - Sturdy and stable
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
Alessandro Becchi, Anfibio Sofa, Striped Fabric, Giovannetti, Italy, 1970s
By Giovanetti, Alessandro Becchi
Located in Krefeld, DE
Alessandro Becchi Anfibio sofa bed by Giovannetti Collezioni, Italy, 1970s. Designed in 1970 by Florence-born Alessandro Becchi, the Anfibio is one of the most iconic convertible des...
Fabric, Wool
Elegant Three-Seater Sofa, Rattan and Bamboo, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Naples, IT
Elegant three-seater sofa from the 1960s. Beautifully shaped rattan and bamboo frame. This wonderful sofa is in very good condition with slight signs of wear from age and use, preser...
Bamboo, Rattan
Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Knoll International Model 26
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Authentic mid-century collectible with documented provenance: This spacious Florence Knoll Model 26-3KC sofa was produced in the 1960s and upholstered in an exceptionally high-qualit...
Steel, Chrome
Vladimir Kagan, Directional, Mid-Century Modern, Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Velvet
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Stamford, CT
Vladimir Kagan, Directional, Mid-Century Modern, Curved Cloud Sofa, Beige Velvet, Lucite, USA, 1980s The Cloud Sofa, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in the 19...
Velvet, Lucite
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'D70' Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, sofa, model, 'D70', steel, brass, leather, Italy, 1954 A sofa that transforms into a daybed designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1954. Extraordinary elegance in...
Brass, Steel
Coronado Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Made in Italy. Full leather construction. Coronado Loveseat and ottoman also available.
Leather
Soriana Sofa, by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina, Italy, 1970s
Located in Argelato, BO
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Soriana Sofas, Cassina, Italy, 1970s. Afra (1937-2011) & Tobia (1935-) Scarpa both studied at the Venice Institute of Architecture. Their pieces are exhibited i...
Steel
$23,214 / item
Børge Mogensen 2292 Coupe Sofa
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed in 1971, The Coupé sofa has a high enveloping back with wings, providing a calm retreat in larger spaces or a cosy setting in front of a fireplace.
Oak
Mood Couch 2 Seats with Knight Saddle fabric by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Dunbar Sofa W/Original Upholstery
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Striking vintage 1970’s Dunbar sofa featuring its rare and eye-catching original Dunbar upholstery. This statement piece showcases a bold geometric chevron pattern in vibrant green a...
Upholstery, Wood
rare and elegant constanze daybed
Located in Munich, DE
very nice and all original daybed by johannes spalt for the well known austrian company wittmann. an elegant construction, than can be converted from a sofa into a bed with one hand ...
Steel
Henry Olko Mid Century Modern Square Series Rattan Sofa USA 1970s
By Willow and Reed, Henry Olko
Located in Stamford, CT
An exquisite and rare rattan sofa by accomplished Henry Olko for his Willow and Reed company, circa 1975. This unique sofa is from the Olko's Square series. Substantial and sturdy rattan and hardwood construction with precision cane detail. A very comfortable sofa. Cushions are in great condition. There are matching pieces available: A pair of arm chairs...
Fabric, Rattan, Cane, Hardwood
$3,597Sale Price|20% Off
Guillerme et Chambron oak sofa "Édouard
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 3 seats sofa in oak and fabric perfect condition by guillerme and Chambron
Oak
Modular DS-600 Sofa by Berger, Peduzzi, Vogt & Ulrich for De Sede, 1970s
By De Sede, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular Sofa by De Sede in leather and fabric composed of 11 elements, Model: DS-600, Modular sofa. Seat height 40 cm Wear due to time and age of the sofa. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US F...
Leather, Fabric
Mid-century modern Italian Modular Leather Sofa by Lev & Lev, 1970s
By Lev & Lev
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Italian Modular Leather Sofa by Lev & Lev, 1970s Designed and produced by Lev & Lev in Italy during the 1970s, this exquisite modular sofa is a true example of Italian craftsmanship...
Leather, Fiberglass
Giancarlo Piretti "Sistema 61" Green Fabric Modular Sofa for Castelli, 1973
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Giancarlo Piretti's Sistema 61 for Anonima Castelli is a five-piece modular seating system built around a cubic vocabulary. Each module features a squared, upholstered form with no e...
Steel
A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Sofa Fabric, Oak, USA, 1950s
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and off-white fabric sofa designed and produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Dimensions: 32.25” H x 85.5” W x 40” D Seat Height...
Fabric, Oak
1960s Long Jack Lenor Larsen Velvet Tuxedo Sofa in Style of Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Elkton, MD
A stunning oversized tuxedo sofa featuring original Jack Lenor Larsen polychrome velvet upholstery with a bold repeating geometric motif. Designed in the Paul McCobb style, this mid-...
Upholstery
Modular Sofa Attributed to Adriano Piazzesi Original 1970s Brown Velvet
Located in Palermo, PA
Modular Sofa Attributed to Adriano Piazzesi in Original 1970s Brown Velvet fabric. This striking modular sofa, attributed to Italian designer Adriano Piazzesi is a true statement p...
Steel
Mid-Century Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century Cloud sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s. This design by Pearsall is low profile and features a gently curved silhouette. Long and extreme...
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Walnut
$4,248Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Swedish 1980s Convertible Sofa Lounge Chairs built in Table Daybed
Located in Basel, BS
This unique midcentury design sofa/daybed / Lounge chairs with a table in between is incredibly versatile and minimal! A beautiful functional design because this piece of very cool...
Chrome
Rare Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb for Directional Sculptural Cubist Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare Paul McCobb for Directional sculptural cubist sofa or settee. Legs have been refinished, older reupholstery and foam must be updated. Great sleek geom...
Upholstery
Vintage Sculpted Scandinavian Tufted Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring timeless Nordic elegance into your home with this vintage sculpted Scandinavian tufted sofa. Showcasing the hallmark elements of Mid-Century Modern design, this piece blends cl...
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ivory Velvet Sofa w Hexagonal Walnut Legs, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa (1950s), produced in Berne, Indiana, and embodying the designer's celebrated ability to balance refined modernism with timeless comfort. Res...
Fabric, Wood
Confidential Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Confidential Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, Italy,1970s - New Beige Upholstery
Fabric
$4,248Sale Price / set|25% Off
Very Rare Robin Day Form Group Sofa Set
$6,800Sale Price|22% Off
Mid-Century Harvey Probber Burger Bun Pink Velvet Settee
By Harvey Probber, Adriano Piazzesi
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Mid-Century Modern settee designed by Italian architect Adriano Piazzesi for Harvey Probber, Inc. Burger bun is a whimsical kidney shaped form des...
Steel
Very rare sofa by Movéis Gerdau
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très rare banquette par Moveís Gerdau, vers 1960. Entièrement retapisé en velours de Mohair Pierre Frey
Metal
$11,133Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-century Modern Romy Sofa Bouclé Brass Handmade in Portugal
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Romy Schneider was a highly acclaimed and versatile Austrian-born actress who achieved international recognition for her talent and beauty. Schneider's acting career began at an early age, and she soon rose to fame for her roles in both German and French cinema. Ottiu designers tribute Romy by conceiving this opulent line of upholstery seating. Dressed up in a deluxe bouclé fabric, the Romy sofa's exquisite design creates an inviting and cozy seating...
Stainless Steel
$7,081Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 seater modular sofa Rino Maturi for Mimo Padova Nuvolone, Italy 70s
By Mimo Padova
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Set of 4 "Nuvolone" Lounge Chairs by Rino Maturi for Mimo Leone & Co., Italy, 1970s This stunning set of four "Nuvolone" modular lounge chairs, designed by Rino Maturi for Mimo Leon...
Fabric
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Superb 1950's Rattan, Cane and Brass Sofa by John Wisner for Ficks Reed
Located in Southampton, NJ
1950's John Wisner Ficks Reed Far Horizons rattan sofa with new cushions in original vibrant Jack Lenor Larsen floral upholstery. Beautifully maintained cushions have always been sli...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Gigi Radice, Minotti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet covering and legs in brass and black lacquered metal. It is recommended to replace the lining...
Brass
Curved Egg Shape Sofa, in the Style of Ico Parisi, Pure Mohair, Italy, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A superb, unusual Italian egg shaped sofa, in the style of Ico Parisi. The sofa has been reupholstered in a grey (with a hint of brown) premium pure mohair fabric and is of a curved,...
Fabric, Wood
Vivai del Sud Italian Sofa in Curved Bamboo and Leather with White Fabric, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century organic sofa, fully made of bamboo, knotted leather, and chestnut wood. This incredibly elegant and unique sofa was designed by Vivai del Sud and produced in It...
Brass
Danish Modern Cognac Leather Sofa
Located in Greenwich, CT
A three-seater leather sofa with a geometric silhouette softened by shaped arm panels, with separate seat and back cushions. The cognac colored leather upholstery is shiny, stiffly c...
Leather
Stunning black leather Kashima sofa 1985 by Michel Ducaroy - Ligne Roset France
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima Sofa, Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1985 All-Foam Tufted Leather Sofa in Original Black Leather The Kashima sofa, designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, is a mastercl...
Leather
$20,535Sale Price|40% Off
Ettore Sottsass Flying Carper Tappeto Volante Sofa for Bedding Brevetti
Located in Padova, IT
Ettore Sottsass designed this sofa after having known the Indian culture. A crucial journey in his formation is that of 1961 in India, undertaken with Fernanda Pivano. On this journe...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Design Sofa Italy 50s Vintage Modern
Located in Berlin, BE
Beautiful sofa newly upholstered in dark purple velvet with solid, slender steel legs. The sofa has been completely reupholstered and refinished. We assume that the piece was manufac...
Steel
Rare sideboard by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced in the 1960s by Wood Art Brazil. Jean Gillon (1919–2007) was born in Lasi, Romania. In 1956, already possessing a consistent portfolio, he moved to São Paulo, where he dev...
Wood, Jacaranda
1970s Jacques Charpentier Velvet Two-Seater Sofa with Chrome Frame
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This stunning two-seater sofa from the 1970s by Jacques Charpentier retains its original velvet upholstery, showcasing exceptional patina and offering superior comfort. The chrome s...
Stainless Steel
Sergio Rodrigues “Tonico” Sofa, Brazil, 1960s – Original Upholstery
Located in Curitiba, PR
An iconic example of Brazilian modern design, the Tonico sofa by Sergio Rodrigues embodies the warmth, comfort, and sculptural presence that define his work. Designed in the 1960s, t...
Leather, Hardwood
Universal of High Point Midcentury Black Vinyl Faux Leather Convertible Sofa
By Universal Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern settee or loveseat sofa in black vinyl faux leather by Universal of High Point. It is in wonderful vintage condition. We have restored the wood, cleaned the vinyl, repaired a few spots where stitching was loose, and put on a new dustcover. But there are still little signs of age. Please see photos, circa 1950s. What a fun little Mid-Century Modern convertible sofa. Settee? Loveseat? Armless sofa? Bench? A rose by any other name…….!!! Anyway, I digress. It is a great piece no matter what we call it. I am sticking with convertible sofa. It is comprised of a black vinyl faux leather bench seat...
Faux Leather, Wood
$8,800
Knoll Style Tuxedo Sofa
Located in Cambridge, US
USA, ca. 1960s. A handsome tuxedo style sofa very much in the spirit of American designer Florence Knoll. Features a heavy ash frame with high arms and back supported by minimalist s...
Steel, Chrome
Alberto Rosselli Canapé modulaire "Confidentiel" pour Saporiti, 1972, 6 modules
Located in PARIS, FR
Italian Modular Leather Sofa, “Confidential” by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, 1970s Designed in 1972 by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, the “Confidential” sofa stands as one of the ...
Leather
Florence Knoll Sofa. Expertly redone in Charcoal Robert Allen Chenille Fabric.
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Armless Florence Knoll parallel bar sofa expertly reupholstered in Robert Allen Chenille fabric. Charcoal gray. Beautiful and comforta...
Steel, Chrome
Scarce sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare canapé trois place par Joaquim Tenreiro en imbuvable et cuir fauve.
Leather, Imbuia
New Mohair Upholstery Sofa Bed Model 470 By Hans Bellman, Wilkhahn, Germany 1964
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This sofa/daybed was designed by Hans Bellmann for Wilkhahn, Germany in the 1960s The sofa comes in a beautiful solid Teak wood frame and has been completely restored with new foam ...
Mohair, Velvet, Teak
Gio Ponti Curved Sofa for Casa e Giardino, Velvet, 1956, Attributed
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti Curved Sofa for Casa e Giardino, velvet, Italy, 1956, Attributed Consciously attributed to Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, this sofa distills comfort into a single, continu...
Velvet, Wood
$14,575Sale Price|35% Off
Large design sofa "Le Bambole" original 80s Mario Bellini B&B Italia
Located in Milano, Lombardia
An authentic symbol of Italian design, the "Le Bambole" sofa signed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia represents one of the most recognizable and desired icons in the world of high-end...
Leather