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.
Ignazio Gardella Digamma Sofa
Located in London, GB
A rare sofa by Italian designer Ignazio Gardella for Gavina. circa 1957, Italy. Enameled steel, and brass. This rare sofa was only available from Gavina by special-order a...
Steel
Luciano Frigerio 'Norman' 3 Seat Sofa in Walnut and Suede, Italy, 1968
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Luciano Frigerio's Norman 3 Seat Sofa in walnut and suede exemplifies mid-century Italian elegance and craftsmanship. Renowned for his unique approach to furniture design, Frigerio's...
Suede, Walnut
Finnish Designer, Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Finland, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood and beige fabric sofa designed and produced in Finland, c. 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 17” Arm Height (inches): 24" All items ship from High Point, North Caro...
Fabric, Wood
Kazuhide Takahama, two seat Suzanne Sofa. Gavina Edition, 1965.
Located in Paris, FR
Rare and elegant two-seat sofa model "Suzanne" designed by Kazuhide Takahama and manufactured in Italy by Gavina in the 1960s. This sofa shows an impressive curved shape perfectly p...
Chrome, Iron
Organic Modern Off-White Boucle Upholstery Wood Base Naked Modular Sofa Combo 1
Located in Lisbon, PT
Naked sofa reveals sculptural and organic shapes meant to embrace the user and encourage to stay seated in this cozy and comfortable piece. With comfort as the constant starting-poin...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Woven Grid Rattan High Back Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exuding grand mid-century resort elegance and organic architectural presence, this vintage high-back sofa showcases master-level rattan craftsmanship. The sofa features a commanding ...
Rattan
$18,000
Martin Borenstein Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sofa by Martin Borenstein, USA, c.1950s. The sofa has been newly upholstered in a beautiful Italian velvet alpaca with tan suede trim. The sofa features a walnut side table with thre...
Chrome
Bastiano Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, Italy, 1962
Located in Brussels, BE
Bastiano Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, Italy, 1962
Wood, Leather
Rodolfo Dordini 'Dress Up!' Sofa, Upholsterd Foam in Fabric by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sofa designed by Rodolfo Dordini in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A sophisticated haute couture design featuring elegant details reminiscent of classic fine tailoring. S...
Fabric, Foam
Louis Paolozzi, Sofa, Metal, Velvet, France, 1957
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and black-lacquered adjustable sofa / daybed designed by Louis Paolozzi and produced by Zol, France, c. 1957. Loss of black paint and oxidation present to metal. Re...
Metal
Chartreuse Velvet Serpentine Sofa with Tapered Bone Legs
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
Electric color meets organic flow in this expansive serpentine sofa. Upholstered in vibrant chartreuse velvet, the design features a sweeping, tight backrest and a uniquely curved se...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Maple
Muller Van Severen Pillow Sofa Velvet Modular Sofa For Bd Barcelona
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Muller Van Severen's Pillow Sofa Velvet Modular Sofa For Bd Barcelona Muller Van Severen’s Pillow sofa modular arrives at BD. Initially designed by MVS for KASSL Editions, the Pill...
Polyester
Long Danish Sofa by Bramin w/ Sculpted Teak Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous Danish made sofa sits four people comfortably in its 7+ feet length. Designed with swooping arms that are fully cushioned, and a teak base with tapered legs and middle ...
Fabric, Teak
Guillerme et Chambron Curved Sofa Loveseat for Votre Maison, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Unusual oak sofa by Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison. The frame has the usual hallmarks of their production with the extended end and thick pencil-shaped legs with a curved back...
Velvet, Oak
Børge Mogensen High Sofa 2432 with Brown Leather by Fredericia Furniture
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish vintage Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) sofa for 2 persons model no. 2432 with high back. It's upholstered with the original chocolate brown leather. The legs are made of solid oa...
Leather, Foam, Feathers, Oak
$5,190Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Mid Century model 3330 Arne Vodder 3 seater leather sofa for Fritz Hansen
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Vintage Danish mid century 1960’s model 3330 Arne Vodder 3 seater sofa for Fritz Hansen in recently reupholstered dark chocolate coloured leather. Arne Vodder was one of the grea...
Leather
Luigi Tiengo Sofa in Walnut and Blue Raf Simons Fabric for Cimon Montréal, 1963
By Cimon, Raf Simons, Luigi Tiengo
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare sofa was designed by Luigi Tiengo and produced by the Canadian manufacturer Cimon in 1963. The sculptural shape of the elongated arms, the winged back and the slightly incl...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Danish Freestanding Teak Sofa in Green Corduroy, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Exceptional Danish freestanding three-seat sofa from the 1970s featuring an elegant solid teak frame and newly upholstered cushions in rich green 100% cotton corduroy. This beautiful...
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Black Leather and Chrome Sofa Designed by Hans Eichenberger
By Hans Eichenberger, Girsberger
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare large sofa three seater in stainless steel frame designed by Hans Eichenberger for Girsberger in Switzerland, 1966 with original ...
Stainless Steel
$1,470Sale Price|30% Off
Patrician Furniture Company Mid Century Chrome Sleigh Leg Tufted Sofa
Located in Esperance, NY
Up for sale is a beautiful vintage sofa featuring a sleek design and resting on stylish chrome sleigh legs.
Steel
divano modulare modello deca di tito agnoli per arflex restaurato completamente
Located in Ghedi, IT
Elegante divano modulare Deca, iconico progetto di Tito Agnoli per Arflex (anno di produzione originale fine anni ’70).Composto da 5 moduli componibili, che permettono varie configur...
Fabric
Josef Hoffmann "Cabinet" Sofa by Wittmann, Austria
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in the late 1980s by Wittmann Mobelwerkstattten Austria - Labeled by manufacturer - suitable for new upholstery - Wooden parts in good/very good condition with minor signs o...
Fabric, Wood
Giuseppe Scapinelli Sculptural Sofa in Solid Caviúna & Evergreen Mohair
Located in New York, NY
A striking expression of Brazilian mid-century modernism, this sculptural sofa by Giuseppe Scapinelli embodies the designer's unmistakable ability to unite architectural precision with sensual organic form. Distinguished by its elegantly inclined backrest, fluid open arms, and gracefully tapered legs, the composition possesses an extraordinary sense of visual lightness while maintaining exceptional structural integrity. Every line has been carefully resolved, creating a silhouette that appears effortless from every angle—an enduring hallmark of Scapinelli's most celebrated seating designs produced during the golden age of Brazilian design in the 1950s. Expertly crafted from solid caviúna, one of Brazil's most prized exotic hardwoods, the frame showcases remarkable craftsmanship and sculptural refinement. The timber displays rich honey-caramel brown tones layered with deep reddish undertones and dramatic dark grain movement that flows continuously throughout the arms and legs, emphasizing the sofa's sculptural geometry. Finished in a refined satin-matte surface, the wood retains its authentic character while revealing the exceptional quality of the joinery and hand-finishing. The result is warm, dimensional, and unmistakably Brazilian—qualities that have made caviúna among the most desirable materials found in important mid-century furniture. The sofa has been newly upholstered in Found Collectibles...
Mohair, Caviuna
De Sede DS-86 Patinated Leather Sofa, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS-86 Leather Sofa, Switzerland, 1970s An iconic and luxurious three-seater leather sofa from the DS-86 series by De Sede, handcrafted in Switzer...
Leather, Beech
Unusual Milo Baughman Style Tufted Even Arm Tuxedo Sofa Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Unusual Milo Baughman style W & J Sloane tufted even arm tuxedo sofa. We love the thick chunky walnut legs-very interesting for sure! W. & J. Sloane furniture store in NYC set the na...
Upholstery, Walnut
$5,700Sale Price|40% Off
Dunbar Jack Larsen Gray Velvet Cut Down Floating Plinth Sofa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning sofa you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it being...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Curved Four-Seat Italian Sofa with Brass Legs and Ivory - White Bouclé
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Crafted in Italy, this curved four-seat sofa features a solid wooden frame with brass legs and is upholstered in white bouclé wool. Designed for both durability and modern aesthetic ...
Brass
Ray Kappe RK4 Sofa in Red Oak by Original, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Berlin, DE
Ray Kappe RK4 sofa in red oak by Original in Berlin, Germany, 2020 This sofa can be used as a free standing bench or a Sofa. The piece is made out of sol...
Fabric, Oak, Fir
Eero Aarnio Mid Century Rattan Sofa
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Aarnio midcentury rattan sofa This sofa measures: 76 wide x 32 deep x 24.5 inches high, with a seat height of 14.5 and arm height of 2...
Upholstery, Rattan
Early Florence Knoll Relaxed Sofa with Paul Smith Maharam Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
A design classic by Florence Knoll. A stunning vintage example newly upholstered in Paul Smith stripes by Maharam, with new foam. The chrome base shows its age and has some chrome l...
Chrome
Original de Sede DS44 Zweisitzer Büffelleder Sofa Couch braun
By De Sede
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein hochwertiges DS44 Zweisitzer Sofas von de Sede mit wunderschöner Patina zum Verkauf an. Der Schweizer Traditionshersteller de Sede ist bekannt für seine außerordentlic...
Leather
Contemporary Galapinhos Armchair, Beige Bouclé, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Galapinhos Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Galapinhos lounge chair brings the essence of nature indoors, insp...
Leather, Alpaca, Mohair, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Wood, Oak, Walnu...
Italian Mid-Century Modern Leather Two-Seat Couch — Circa 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful Italian mid-century modern two-seat leather couch, circa 1980s. Upholstered in high-quality soft leather, this sofa offers a clean, tailored silhouette paired with generous...
Leather
Mario Bellini C&B 'Camaleonda' modular sofa in original velvet (First Edition)
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Bellini B&B Italia 'Camaleonda' modular sofa in original red velvet 1973 Listed price is per module (4 modules available). The Camaleonda sofa, designed by renowned Italian a...
Metal
$4,114Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Curved Sofa by Carl-Johan Boman for Boman Oy, Finland, 1940s
Located in Karis, Nyland
Carl-Johan Boman for Oy Boman AB rare loveseat/compact sofa with elegantly curved back and tapering stained legs, Finland, 1940s. This exquisite sofa has a classic Scandinavian Moder...
Fabric, Wood, Birch
$6,028 / item
Roberto Menghi 'Hall' Sofa for Arflex 1958
Located in Tilburg, NL
Roberto Menghi 'Hall' Sofa for Arflex, designed in 1958. Italy. New, current production. Price noted is for a sofa upholstered in fabric group T6. We are at the end of the ‘50s: ...
Steel
Milo Baughman Button Tufted Chrome Sofa in a Crushed Velvet
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Dallas, TX
Experience one of Milo Baughman's most glamorous and comfortable sofas clad in chrome with button tufted seating and rolled arms. We specialize in high-quality mid-century modern fur...
Chrome
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Ivory Bouclé, 1970, Set of 6
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa design...
Bouclé, Plastic
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
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Outdoor Sofa, Rattan & Stainless Steel, Italy
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Outdoor Sofa For Cassina A two- or three-seater sofa designed by Antonio Citterio and inspired by textural contrast. The exoskeleton of the base supports a...
Rattan
Digamma Armchair by Iganzio Gardella, 1960s - Orignal edition
Located in Brussels, BE
Digamma Armchair by Iganzio Gardella, 1960s - Orignal edition
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Leather Sofa by Jacques Charpentier, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sofa from the 1970s in original condition Leather cushions over a brushed steel base Designer Jacques Charpentier Sofa is convertible in a bed , mattress missing.
Stainless Steel
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar no. 4756 wing shaped sofa in Mohair and Brass
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare offering from Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This wing shaped sofa, model 4756, was reupholstered in a moss colored mohair and sits on 10" solid brass stiletto legs. Ele...
Brass
Paul McCobb Curvaceous Wing Back Settee or Sofa Refinished Reupholstered
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Wing back settee or sofa, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, American, circa 1950s. This sofa is currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed in...
Upholstery, Wood
Sleek Barcelona Sofa, c. 1970's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek Barcelona leather sofa, c. 1970's Dimensions: 31.5"H x 59"W x 31"D.
Chrome
$1,967
Italian, Two seater sofa
Located in London, GB
c.1960s Bamboo H84 x W125 x D75 cm
Bamboo
De Puydt Three-Seater Sofa with Upholstered Cushions, Belgium 1970s
By De Puydt
Located in Utrecht, NL
Technical ingenuity and mastery are indispensable, and fuel each other to achieve equally sublime and atmospheric results in De Puydt furniture. This three-seater sofa is an exceptio...
Wood
Handsome Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Style Chesterfield Tufted Party Sofa
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome Dunbar style tufted Chesterfield party sofa. We love the thick squarish rolled arms and back with ebonized black plinth base-re-upholstery is recommended.
Upholstery, Wood
Ficks Reed Restored Three-Strand "S-Arm" Rattan Sofa & Lounge Living Room Set
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Three-strand "S-arm" rattan living room set which includes one lounge chair with matching the three-seat sectional sofa. Each seat features rounded three strands "S-arm" rattan arms ...
Rattan
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
Stunning Harvey Probber 4-Seat Sofa Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning Harvey Probber 4-seat sofa. This stylish sofa was re-upholstered about 15 years ago and still looks great-light cleaning recommended.
Upholstery, Walnut
$41,714 / set
Set of Two Antonio Citterio Esosoft Sofas by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antonio Citterio Esosoft sofa Manufactured by Cassina in Itlay A living room system designed to define the domestic landscape in a fluid, flexible manner. This is Esosoft ? the f...
Fabric
Pair of Soriana Sofas, 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
$3,436Sale Price|20% Off
Thayer Coggin Sectional Sofa in Black Linen
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Mid Century Modern Low Profile...
Linen
Handmade Contemporary Mambo Unlimited Ideas Naked Round Soft Apricot Upholstery
Located in Lisbon, PT
Naked sofa reveals sculptural and organic shapes meant to embrace the user and encourage to stay seated in this cozy and comfortable piece. With comfort as the constant starting-poin...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,138Sale Price|24% Off
Brass Mounted Faux Bamboo Adjustable Settee, Circa 1950.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A brass mounted faux bamboo adjustable settee in the manner of Billy Haines circa 1950. We are located in Philadelphia and offer expedited shipping t...
Faux Bamboo
Enzo Minotti Italian Sofa in Luxurious Velvet, 1950s
By Minotti
Located in Bochum, NRW
Large sofa, four seats, designed by Enzo Minotti, Mid-Century Modern, 1950s. Wooden structure reupholstered in luxurious Rubelli velvet. Wood feet. Angular shaped design, with comfor...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Modernist Fredrik Kayser Sofa Model 860 for Vatne Møbelfabrikk 1960s, Norway
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunnning and extremely rare model 860 sofa designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobelfabrikk in Norway, 1960's. This sofa has a beautiful sculptural shape and sleek lines, Teak leg...
Fabric, Teak
"Can Can" Modular Sofa by Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio Di Desio, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
"Can Can" Modular Sofa by Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio Di Desio, 1970s - New Upholstery
Fabric, Wood
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
Mid-Century Modern Italian Bamboo Sofa Bed, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian red brown coated bamboo sofa bed. This sofa bed comes with its original metallic bed net and needs a mattress of cm. 80 x 190 (about inch. 31.50 x 74.80)....
Bamboo, Rattan