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.
Sintra Sofa in Dark Sea Green Velvet, Brass Legs, Contemporary Design
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary / Modern "Sintra" sofa upholstered in dark sea green / teal velvet with four removable back cushions and a single long seat cushion, resting on tapered brass legs. (Avai...
Metal, Bronze
c.1970s Guillerme et Chambron 'Elmyre' Corner Sofa With Slatted Backrest
Located in London, GB
Guillerme et Chambron ‘Elmyre’ Corner Sofa with Slatted Backrest, Edition Votre Maison, c.1970s A corner sofa designed by Guillerme et Chambron and pr...
Upholstery, Oak
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Off-White Boucle Bastiano Two Seater Sofa for Gavina, 1966
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Mid-Century Modern two-seater Bastiano sofa designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, 1966. This original piece features a solid walnut frame with clean, architectural lin...
Bouclé, Walnut
$8,750Sale Price|30% Off
Completely Restored Blue Velvet Grand Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa with tapered rosewood legs and newly upholstered in a plush soft blue velvet. Every inch of this grand sofa has been painstakingly restored/replaced a...
Velvet
Hans J. Wegner Three-Seat Sofa by GETAMA, Oak Frame, Wool, Denmark
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner three-seat sofa new upholstered with Divina wool in 100 % New Zealand wool. Original Epeda cushions. Frame in solid oak. Model 236/3, produced by GETAMA.
Oak, Wool
3. Seater Sofa Made In Red Brown Leather By Stouby Furniture From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
The three-seater sofa in red-brown leather from Stouby Møbler, produced in the 1960s, exudes timeless elegance and comfort. Stouby Møbler, a renowned Danish furniture company, is kno...
Leather
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 4
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, four elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini,...
Leather, Plastic
Danish Cabinetmaker, Fabric, Wood, Monumental Banana Sofa, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
Danish Cabinetmaker, Mid-Century Modern, Green Fabric, Wood, Two Piece Banana Sofa, Denmark, 1960s A large two piece banana sofa designed and produced in Denmark in the later half o...
Fabric, Wood
$4,360Sale Price|73% Off
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless Mid-Century Modern style Sofa in the manner of Finn Juhl ( Danish 1912- 1989). The sofa features sculptural shape inspired by the Modern free art. The seat and back of the...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Orange "Califfo" Sofa by Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern orange "Califfo" sofa by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s.
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Beijinho Leather Sofa, Beige Jacquard, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Beijinho Leather Sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Beijinho leather sofa seamlessly combines the soft texture of ...
Brass
Giulia Veronesi for ISA Bergamo Rare Curved Channel Back Sofa in Navy Velvet
By Giulia Veronesi, ISA Bergamo
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Giulia Veronesi for ISA Bergamo rare and sophisticated channel back curved sofa with gilt brass and die cast aluminum legs, Italy, ci...
Aluminum, Brass
Michel Ducaroy “Togo” Modular Sofa for Ligne Roset, Sand Beige, 1973, Set of 4
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Michel Ducaroy “Togo” modular sofa for Ligne Roset, sand beige leather and foam, France, 1973, set of four. Togo, by Ligne Roset, is a historic armchair, designed in 1973 by Michel ...
Leather, Foam
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
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Organic Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofas, White Boucle
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Organic Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofas, White Boucle Pair of handsome mid-century modern organic form sofas by Vladimir Kag...
Bouclé, Wood
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia "Camaleonda" White Bouclé Fabric Modular Sofa
Located in Madrid, ES
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini (1935-) for B&B Italia in 1972. Composed of 3 large modular seats with backrest, 3 small modular seats with backrest, 2 armrests and...
Wool
Malitte Outdoor Seating System by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1966 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 The outdoor version of Malitte by Surrealist artist Roberto Matta. Materials: polyurethane for outdoor use, Ginostra fabric by MARI...
Fabric, Foam
Patinated Leather Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, Netherlands, 1970s
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Almelo, NL
Patinated Leather Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, Netherlands, 1970s A striking vintage leather sofa designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis in the Netherlands during th...
Leather, Beech
Custom Curved Channel Back Leather Sofa by Carrocel
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom curved channel back sofa by Carrocel. Displayed with a textured light wood platform and luxurious Italian leather material. Featuring unique channel back design with removable...
Leather, Wood
Vintage McGuire Woven Rattan Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage sofa, crafted in the iconic style of McGuire Furniture, perfectly embodies the breezy elegance of Coastal Modern design. The frame is meticulously clad in ha...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Guillerme et Chambron, Elmyre, Sectional Sofa in 14 Pieces, Mid-century, France
Located in New York, NY
Dimensions listed are per "Chair Section" (Height: 31" - Width: 23.5" - Depth: 33.5"). Corner Sections are: Height: 30.75" - Width: 33.25" - Depth: 33.25" There are 14 sections in t...
Upholstery, Oak
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Corner Module, Whisper (Outdoor)
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Small module Measures: L 110cm / P 96cm / H 73 cm / Assise H 47 cm Modular sofa: assemble different modules to create...
Foam
RESTORED ViNTAGE CIGAR BROWN LEATHER DE SEDE DS-11 MODULAR CORNER SOFA
By De Sede
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Stunning vintage restored cigar brown leather De Sede DS-11 Modular corner sofa Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and lo...
Leather
$16,000Sale Price|45% Off
LC2 Style Inspired Sofa in Distressed Suede Leather
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Saint Louis, US
This LC2 inspired sofa offers a leisure that few get to experience. This sturdy solid wood base makes the sofa heavy and nearly immutable. The distressed tope suede gives the sofa an...
Chrome
AV 53 - 3 seater sofa in original leather by Arne Vodder
By Ivan Schlechter, Arne Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
AV 53 - 3-seater sofa in red patinated aniline leather with rosewood legs. Designed by Arne Vodder and made by Ivan Schlecter.
Leather, Rosewood
1950s 98" Edward Wormley for Dunbar 5526 armless sofa Mohair and Wool
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s iconic armless sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture model 5526. Reupholstered in a green mohair base with neutral diagonal striped wool loose cushions. A ver...
Mohair
$14,220 / item
Mogensen 2208 Sofa
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 2208 two seater sofa features an elegantly curved lowered back and was designed by Børge Mogensen in 1963.
Oak
$4,564Sale Price|20% Off
1970s De Sede Adjustable Brown Leather 3-Seater Sofa, DS-110
By De Sede
Located in Praha, CZ
1970s De Sede Adjustable Brown Leather 3-Seater Sofa, DS-110 - height of seat 35 cm - adjustable depth from 82 - 104 cm
Leather
Vintage 'Mole' Solid Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s, Brazil
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Mole sofa is Sergio Rodrigues' signature piece designed between 1956 and 1957, giving rise to the famous and award-winning Mole armchair. In Portu...
Leather, Rosewood
Isamu Noguchi Freeform Sofa & Ottoman – Vitra, Raf Simons for Kvadrat Vidar 4
Located in Dronten, NL
Few designs balance art and function as seamlessly as Isamu Noguchi’s Freeform Sofa. Originally conceived in 1946 and produced in very limited numbers today by Vitra, this is not jus...
Wool, Ash
$9,500 / item
George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller, c.1950s, USA. Newly upholstered in a high pile rich green mohair. The seating system features three cushioned seats and a white laminate side...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'D70' Sofa in Gray Suede Leather
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in North Miami, FL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Sofa, Model 'D70' in gray suede leather, Italy, 1954. A sofa that transforms into a daybed designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1954...
Brass, Steel
$3,953Sale Price|30% Off
Divano Laccato Nero E Velluto Carta Da Zucchero Simon Gavina Italia 1970
By Simon Gavina Editions, Dino Gavina
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegante Divano "Simone" Disegnato da Dino Gavina per Studio Simon negli anni 70. Il divano è stato da noi ritappezzato utilizzando un velluto di alta qualità color carta da zuccher...
Velvet, Hardwood
$6,800 / set
Mid-Century Modern Patio Sofa Set by Woodard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, 3 piece, patio seating set by Lee L Woodard Sons features two, painted wrought iron, 3 seat sofas upholstered in pale pink textured o...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Paul McCobb Sofa for Directional / Milo Baughman
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Paul McCobb sofa for Directional reupholstered at one point. In pretty nice condition with fabric being usable as-is. minor wear. finish to wood and legs shows...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Bamboo and Leather Sofa, France, 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern bamboo and leather sofa, France 1970s. This French sofa was made of bamboo and leather in France in 1970. And would be an eye-catching addition to any interior,...
Leather, Bamboo
Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, Black Leather Togo Corner Seat, France, 1989
Located in MONTPELLIER, FR
An iconic Togo corner seat designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, upholstered in original black leather. Manufactured in France in 1989. Designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973 for ...
Leather, Foam
Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage maralunga sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1973. This iconic design sofa is upholstered in its original striped fabric. The backrests are adjustable and mec...
Fabric
$4,000
Vintage Italian Sofa
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish Italian sofa. Deep blue velvet upholstery with tufted backrest. Sculpted arms. Splayed brass legs. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).
Brass
$4,274 / item
Croix Settee Three-Seat
Located in Lisbon, PT
Delicate seaming in diagonal shapes throughout Croix upholstered back contrast with the smooth seating. Stylish and elegant, this settee is extremely comfortable in its’ perfect fini...
Metal
1953 Sherman Bertram Sofa and Ottoman Heavy Boucle Greta Grossman
By Sherman Bertram, Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare form from Sherman Bertram, a modern furniture company out of California. Sherman Bertram employed Greta Grossman at the time, it is unknown if this is one of her designs. This...
Bouclé
$8,544Sale Price / item|20% Off
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...
Fabric
Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino Midcentury Sofa in Bouclé Upholstery Italy 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Almelo, NL
Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Midcentury Sofa in Bouclé upholstery Italy 1940s This midcentury Italian sofa is undeniably elegant and comfortable. Its unique design boasts a gentl...
Bouclé, Beech
Soriana Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, IL
An iconic Soriana sofa designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina in the 1970s. The generous, softly gathered cushions are elegantly embraced by a chrome-plated metal frame, creatin...
Steel
Camaleonda Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Located in Renens, CH
The Camaleonda sofa was designed by the architect Mario Bellini in the early 1970s. Conceived as a fully modular seating system, it quickly became an icon of Italian design after bei...
Wood, Leather
Vintage De Sede DS-1025 Terazza Sofa, Set of Four, 1970s
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
Located in Renens, CH
The de Sede Terrazza sofa is a distinctive and iconic piece of furniture designed by Ubald Klug in the 1970s. With its sculptural and layered appearance, the Terrazza sofa draws inspiration from natural landscapes, particularly the terraced hillsides and mountains in Switzerland. The Terazza sofa...
Leather, Wood
$4,500 / item
Vintage Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shaped Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage kidney-shaped sofa by Adrian Pearsall is a masterclass in form and flow. With its sweeping curves and floating profile, the design feels as fresh today as it did when it...
Fabric
$19,212 / item
Mid-Century Modern French Style Sofa, Cream Linen Fabric
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern French Style Sofa, handmade in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. With an elegant design inspired by the style of the great mid-century French designers this sofa e...
Fabric, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Wood, Oak, Walnut, Beech
Celina Sofa by Muniz Zylberberg, Mid-Century Modern, Brazil, 1966
Located in Antwerp, BE
"Celina" Sofa by Muniz Zylberberg, a stunning piece of Brazilian Modernism designed in the 1960s. This exceptional three-seater sofa features a highly geometrical structure in massi...
Marble
$1,571Sale Price|40% Off
Sofa by or in the Style of Martin Visser or Kho Liang Ie, Netherlands, 1960s
By Martin Visser, Kho Liang Ie, Artifort, 't Spectrum
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Minimalistic sofa by or in the style of Martin Visser or Kho Liang Ie. Designer: Unknown. By or in the style of Martin Visser or Kho Liang Ie Manufacturer: Unknown. By or in the sty...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Sofa in Teddy Fabric, The Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Sofa in Teddy Fabric, The Netherlands, 1960s This beautifully proportioned mid-century modern lounge sofa, produced in the Netherlands during the 1960s, ca...
Metal
$12,749
2 seater sofa in lambskin
Located in Copenhagen, DK
2 seater 'Bananasofa' upholstered in new lambskin (colour: Moonlight).
Lambskin, Beech
1970s Modular Lounge Sofa by Giuseppe Munari for Poltronova
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Giuseppe Munari for Poltronona – Modular Lounge Sofa, Italy, 1970s Velvet, leather, fabric, chrome-plated steel – The refined modular icon Step into the quietly confident world of 1...
Steel, Chrome
Fabulous Sculptural Modern Vladimir Kagan Leather Bilbao Sofa Mid-century
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A sculptural modern sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and inspired by the curves and undulations of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain. I do have a pair of these gorgeous sofa both ...
Wood, Leather
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 3, Green
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
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...
Foam, Wool
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century Modern, Sofa, X-Leg, Chandigarh, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century Modern, Upholstered Sofa, X-Leg, White Linen, India, 1960s Rare sofa comprised of a slightly tilted backrest, seat, and armrests sitting on a do...
Linen, Teak
Italian mid-century modern black faux leather sofa Bastiano Scarpa Gavina 1960s
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern black faux leather sofa Bastiano Scarpa Gavina 1960s Two-seater sofa mod. Bastiano in wood and black faux leather. The seat, backrest and armrests are made...
Faux Leather, Wood
Italian Sofa in the Style of Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian sofa in the style of Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 82 cm; W= 160 cm; D= 65 cm; H seat= 45 cm.
Velvet, Wood
Mid Century Maple 3pc Sectional Sofa with Shelving & Vintage Upholstery
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century sectional sofa features hardwood construction, solid maple frame with original finish, three piece design offering adjustable configurations, built in shelving and t...
Upholstery, Maple
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chaise Longue Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar chaise longue sofa.
Upholstery