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.
$12,325
Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa
Located in Washington, DC
A stunning example of Brazilian modernism, this **MP-97 sofa by Percival Lafer** features the designer’s signature combination of comfort, craftsmanship, and sculptural form. The so...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Bracket Back Sofa #5497 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Edward Wormley always saw furniture as expressions of personality and as a paired-down concept for detail of architect...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Refined and inviting, this sofa embodies Joaquim Tenreiro’s commitment to lightness and modern proportion. Its curved profile and tapered jacarandá legs lend the piece a quiet sophis...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Ubald Klug DS-1025 "Terrazza" Sofa for De Sede, Brown Leather, 1974, Set of 4
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ubald Klug DS-1025 "Terrazza" sofas for De Sede, brown leather, Switzerland, 1974, set of four. Ubald Klug designed this rare modular DS-1025 "Terrazza" sofa as a real living landsc...
Leather
$4,200Sale Price|20% Off
Stylish Harvey Probber Super Deep 3 Seat Sofa Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish Harvey Probber 3 seater sofa with super deep cushions. We just love everything about this handsome mid-century sofa from the 37"deep seat cushions to the Dorothy Leibes attri...
Upholstery, Walnut
Danish Two Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s Wonderful Danish two seat sofa. The brown leather shows a light patina and is in good condition, showin...
Leather, Wood
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Two-tone Velvet, Set of 8
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, eight elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, redis...
Plastic, Velvet
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern "Cigar" Ge-240 Sofa by Hans Wagner for Getama
Located in Palm Desert, CA
** I only ship in the Continental US ** Presented is a beautiful Scandinavian modern GE 240/3 “Cigar” sofa, designed by celebrated Danish furniture designer Hans J. Wegner in 1955 a...
Teak, Leather, Oak
Joaquim Tenreiro Four-Seat Sofa, Hardwood, Brazilian Modern, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
This rare four-seat sofa exemplifies Joaquim Tenreiro’s radical redefinition of modern seating in postwar Brazil, where structure, lightness, and human scale were treated as insepara...
Velvet, Hardwood
Large Lounge Sofa in Brown Leather by Sapporo for Mobil Girgi, Italy, 1970
By Mobil Girgi, Sapporo
Located in Almelo, NL
Large Lounge Sofa in Patinated Brown Leather by Sapporo for Mobil Girgi, Italy 1970 A large lounge sofa in leather by Sapporo for Mobil Girgi, Ita...
Leather
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Cognac Leather, 1970, Set of 6
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Cognac leather, Italy, 1970, set of 6. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, i...
Leather, Plastic
Two Seat Sofa in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, Europe, 1960s. This two-seat sofa is simplistic, yet stylish in its design. Due to the overall black color of the leatherette, the sofa radiates smoothness and underl...
Leather
$19,287 / item
Piero Lissoni 8 Cube Sofa, Three Seaters by Cassina
By Cassina, Piero Lissoni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sofa designed by Piero Lissoni in 2017. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. An evolution of the iconic 8 sofa, 8 cube collection revisits and softens up the...
Steel
“Le Bambole” Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Velvet Upholstery, 1970s
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Iconic “Le Bambole” sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. One of the most celebrated Italian seating designs of the postmodern era, Le Bambole became internatio...
Velvet
$17,942 / item
Rodolfo Dordoni ''Sail Out' Outdoor Sofa by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sofa designed by Rodolfo Dordoni in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Inspired by the spirit of 1950s seaside resorts, Sail Out is an outdoor modular sofa that recalls the sof...
Metal
Tobia Scarpa Bastiano sofa, canvas and wood, 1960, Gavina
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Bastiano 2 seater sofa by Tobia Scarpa with original upholstery in canvas. Supporting structure in wood, flying cushions with polyurethane bottom and top in feather on covered steel...
Canvas, Wood
Vintage 70's sofa burgundy fabric Formanova design
By Formanova
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Two-seater sofa, with black and chrome metal frame, Bordeaux fabric upholstery, Formanova design, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear given by time. SIZING:...
Metal
Large Vintage striped Modular Danish Sofa Pop Art Modular Sofa
Located in Markington, GB
Fantastic Danish Space-Age Modular Seating Group, 1970s A striking example of early 70s Danish space-age design, this modular seating group consists of three individual elements tha...
Fabric
$14,960Sale Price|24% Off
Rare Adrian Pearsall Sofa with End Tables Displayed at Habitat 67, Expo 67
Located in New York, NY
A special edition of a couch designed by Adrian Pearsall for Cimons, Canada and displayed at Habitat 67 for Expo 67, Montreal, Canada. The sofa features two Ro...
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Jean Gillon Sofa Produced by Wood Art in Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa designed by Jean Gillon. Produced by Wood Art in Brazil.
Brass
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 6
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage...
Plastic, Velvet
Leather 'Croissant' Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Gubi with Walnut Legs
By Gubi, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather 'Croissant' sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for GUBI with walnut legs. Playful, voluptuous and expertly crafted, the newly reimagined Croissant Collection from GUBI makes a powerful ...
Steel
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Sand Beige, 1970, Set of 5
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, sand beige leather, Italy, 1970, five elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Be...
Leather, Plastic
Danish Modern Sofa by Bertil Fridhagen Refinished & Reupholstered In Your Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Danish Modern Sofa, designed by Bertil Fridhagen, Sweden, circa 1960s. It is currently being refinished and reupholstered, and can be completed in your fabric. Simply send...
Upholstery, Teak
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 6
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it...
Plastic, Velvet
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC5 Sofa light blue or black
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color. Available in fabric or leather. Contemporary and comfortable lines for this sofa that was designed by Le Corbusier for his Paris...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Italian mid-century modern sofa ABCD Luigi Caccia Dominioni Azucena, 1960s
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern sofa ABCD Luigi Caccia Dominioni Azucena, 1960s Couch model ABCD padded and covered in pink fabric with curved armrests. Under the armrests and on the side...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Mid-Century Pink and Grey Fabric Sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980s
By Arflex, Marcello Cuneo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century pink and grey fabric sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980s Two seater sofa mod. Giubba fully padded and covered in fabric. The s...
Fabric
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, 1962
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962 The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" sofa, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commitment to modernist desig...
Velvet
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Marshmallow Sofa After Irving Harper for HermanMiller
By Irving Harper, Herman Miller
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage MCM sofa. The iconic Marshmallow sofa in an extra long length. Done in the manner of Irving Harper for Herman Miller. Acquired fro...
Metal
Russell Woodard Style Metal Garden or Porch Sofa with Matching Lounge Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Woodard inspired sofa and matching lounge chairs, handmade wrought-iron outdoor patio, garden or porch furniture featuring scrolling maple leaf design. A trademark for their durable design and construction. Simple and elegant. The set makes for comfortable and inviting seating ensemble. Garden seating, garden sofa, outdoor metal sofa...
Wrought Iron
B. Sprij Sculptural Three-Seat Sofa in Wood, Netherlands, 1960s
By Bram Sprij
Located in Wommelgem, BE
A distinctive three-seat sofa by Dutch furniture maker B. Sprij, dating from the 1960s. The design is characterized by its beautifully sculpted wooden frame, with flowing armrests t...
Fruitwood
Sofa model 920 by Tobia Scarpa produced by Cassina, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Sofa model 920 by Tobia Scarpa produced by Cassina, 1960s Sofa upholstered and covered in gray cotton and wood and metal frame.Designed in the 1960s by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Goo...
Metal
Rikke Frost 'RF1903 Sideways Sofa' in Oiled Walnut for Carl Hansen & Son
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rikke Frost 'RF1903 Sideways Sofa' in Oiled Walnut for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitmen...
Wood, Walnut, Fabric
$1,127Sale Price|78% Off
Mid-Century Red Curved Sofa 1950s Italian Design Wood Feet
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century red curved sofa 1950s Italian design wood feet, restored.
Wool, Wood
Vintage Ercol daybed studio sofa
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Mid-century design Ercol Sofa (Studio Couch) designed by Lucian Ercolani around the 1960s. The frame and backrest of the sofa are made of solid elm wood. ...
Fabric, Elm
The Anton Curved Sofa in Deep Teal by Van den Akker
By Van den Akker
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Studio Van den Akker, the Anton curved Sofa is where the sophistications of Mid-Century Modern design meets contemporary glamour. It features understated yet bold sweepin...
Alpaca, Cotton, Velvet, Ash
Curved Banana Shape Loveseat or Sofa in Floral Wool, Denmark 1940s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Viggo Boesen style banana shaped or curved Loveseat made in Denmark, around late 1930s or early 1940s. This small sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round volup...
Wool, Beech
American Designer, Sofa, Bamboo, Fabric, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and green fabric sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric with staining, reupholstery recommended. Overall Dimensio...
Fabric, Bamboo
Charlotte Perriand Refolo Low Table, Bench or Sofa for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color. Low table that can also be used as a sofa or bench designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953. Relaunched by Cassina in 2004. Manufac...
Wood
Completely Restored Woodard Full Size Wrought Iron Couch in Black Powder Coat
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Wrought iron with steel mesh couch by Woodard. From the sculpture line fresh modernist design. Maybe the best available, finished in gloss black powder coat with new glides added.
Wrought Iron
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Minotti, Gigi Radice
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet upholstery and black lacquered metal legs. The upholstery has been redone.
Metal
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
6.5FT Stow Davis Sofa
By Stow Davis
Located in Pasadena, TX
Classic lines with a trim in rich walnut with ivory upholstery. Measure: 6.5FT.
Walnut
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Ivory Bouclé, 1970, Set of 4
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa designs,...
Bouclé, Plastic
Danish Modern, Oak Three-Seater Sofa, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Rødding, DK
A commanding solid oak three-seater sofa in the Danish Brutalist tradition. By Henning Kjærnulf and produced in Denmark during the 1960s — presenting an exceptional combination of sc...
Fabric, Oak
Theo Ruth Sofa, Model 115 in Dedar Bouclé and Beech, Artifort, Netherlands, 1958
This striking sofa was designed by Theo Ruth in 1958. This model numbered 115 was produced by Artifort in the Netherlands. The design is marked by the rounded lines of the upholst...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
$4,800Sale Price|26% Off
Milo Baughman Chesterfield Style Tufted Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Milo Baughman Chesterfield style tufted sofa with wood plinth base. In good vintage condition, circa 1980s Dimension: 84" long 32" deep 26"...
Fabric
Willo Perron Sausage Sofa - Mid-Century Modern Fabric Upholstery
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Willo Perron Sausage Sofa For Bd Barcelona The Sausage Sofa is BD’s latest addition by designer Willo Perron. First released in a limited edition in collaboration with Our Legacy W...
Fabric
20th Century, Gio Ponti Sofa 'Attributed' in Wood and Upholstery in Fabric, '50s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Very beautiful Sofa attributed to Gio Ponti designed in '50s in Italy. The sofa has a wooden structure and the upholstery in two colors fabric (white and green). The sofa seems to be...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Rare Italian Curved Sofa "Casa E Giardino" 1936
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Gio Ponti three-seater sofa for "Casa e Giardino", 1936. Curved shell model covered in original vintage satin, the cushions have springs inside. The upholstery, as seen in the photos...
Satin, Beech
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin style Mid-Century Blue Sofa
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Baltimore, MD
A very attractive two-seater sof Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin style. This is a fine example of Baughman’s early 1950s work. Distinctive early mid century modern design shows Danis...
Upholstery, Wood
Early Vintage Eero Saarinen Womb Settee Sofa for Knoll Restored in White Leather
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Troy, MI
An early production Womb settee designed by Eero Saarinen Knoll circa 1960's Black enameled steel frame with new white leather upholstery Original label intact to underside 62 inch...
Steel
$30,743 / item
Rodolfo Dordoni 'Dress Up!' Sofa for Cassina, Italy, new
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen model/material/color. Sofa designed by Rodolfo Dordini in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A sophisticated haute couture design featuring ...
Fabric, Foam
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
Stunning Curved Erwin Lambeth Sled Leg Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber, Erwin Lambeth
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning Erwin Lambeth curved back sled leg sofa. This sofa was reupholstered long ago in this wonderful sapphire blue crushed velvet and still looks ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Midcentury ETRA Italian Loveseat Light Purple Velvet Sofa Style of Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury sofa or loveseat in the style of Marco Zanuso, original light purple velvet fabric (a discolored mark on the seat). ETRA design. Bronze, front and back feet. The structure...
Brass
Florence Knoll for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Fuchsia
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the early 1960s. It features a stainless steel frame with fuchsia tweed upholstery.
Stainless Steel
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 3
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, three elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa ...
Bouclé, Plastic
Danish Mid-Century Three-Seat Sofa by Ludvig Pontoppidan, circa 1950
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful sought after three-seat sofa by Ludvig Pontoppidan made in Denmark probably between late 1940s and 1950. The design is a classic Pontoppidan with slim elegant scoop-like li...
Wool, Teak
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Bamboo Love Seat or Sofa, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Nicely shaped rattan and bamboo frame. This wonderful Vintage Mid-Century Modern love seat or sofa is in very good condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. This lovely piece of furniture looks wonderful in a Boho Ibiza style...
Bamboo
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
Spectacular Curved Harvey Probber Even Arm Sofa Chartreus Mid-century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Spectacular Harvey Probber curved front even arm sofa. The original chartreus velvet fabric still looks great-looks like it was barely used. We love the super deep even arms with a...
Upholstery