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.
Adrian Pearsall 'Platform Gondola' Sofa in Walnut and Red Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, ‘Platform Gondola’ sofa, fabric, walnut, wood, United States, 1960s A wonderful sofa that features the combination of two great sofa models by ...
Fabric, Walnut
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena 'Toro' Sofa in Dark Forest Green Upholstery
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, 'Toro' sofa, model ‘P20B', fabric, metal, Italy, 1979 This sofa model 'P20B Toro' is designed by Luigi Caccio Dominioni in Milan and produced by ...
Metal
Beautiful Mid century Danish Modern tan Leather 3 Seat Sofa great patina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning Great mid century high quality Danish Scandinavian modern tan leather 3 seat sofa with Square dark wood stained legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Nice thick cognac light tan le...
Leather, Wood
Danish Midcentury Settee in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt, made circa 1950. Backrests and seats nice and firm and frame on stained beech legs r...
Wool, Beech
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Leather and Wood Sofa, C 1970s, Signed
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, produced in the United States in the 1970s. Signed with Ward Bennet Designs for Brickel Associates tag...
Wood, Leather
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes Brown Leather Birch frame Sofa
By Ekornes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes leather teak sofa. Great dark brown leather with solid Blonde birch wood frames. Beautiful condition and very comfortable. Great Norwegian d...
Leather, Birch
Rare Phillip Lloyd Powell Free-Standing Sofa in Carved Walnut Pierre Frey Mohair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Phillip Lloyd Powell, free-standing sofa, walnut, reupholstered in “Teddy” mohair by Pierre Frey, United States, 1969 Phillip Lloyd Powell is a master in approaching wood as a scul...
Mohair, Walnut
Large Danish 1940s Curved Sofa Model Attr. to Ole Wanscher for Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superb and rare sofa from 1940's. Very similar to Model 1668 designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by Fritz Hansen in the 1940s. The model was seen in Fritz Hansen's catalog #4202 in...
Wool, Beech
Adrian Pearsall Grand Boomerang Sofa in Grey Pierre Frey Bouclé
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, 'Boomerang' sofa, model '1600-S', Pierre Frey 'Louison' bouclé, walnut, United States, 1960s This exceptional Boomerang sofa, designed by Adria...
Bouclé, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 'Oasis' Sofa in Camel Wool
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 'Oasis' sofa, model '5200', reupholstered in camel wool, mahogany, United States, design 1952 The 'Oasis' sofa is designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. ...
Wool, Mahogany
Rare Rodolfo Bonetto and Giotto Stoppino for Tarlisio 'Bossa' Sofa in Fiberglass
By Giotto Stoppino, Rodolfo Bonetto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Rodolfo Bonetto and Giotto Stoppino for Tarlisio, 'Bossa' sofa, fiberglass, corduroy velvet, Italy, 1968 This rare Bossa sofa (1968), born from the collaboration between Rodolfo Bo...
Velvet, Fiberglass
Hans Jørgen Frydendal Sofa in Solid Pine and Dusty Rose Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Jørgen Frydendal for Modul Bygge System, sofa, solid pine, fabric, Denmark, 1960s Hans Jørgen Frydendal created a sofa that directs all focus towards the inherent quality of so...
Fabric, Pine
De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for Poltronova 'PITTI' Sofa in Leather and Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for Poltronova, sofa model 'PITTI', leather, walnut, Italy, 1977 Stunning beautifully patinated sofa designed by the Italian trio De Pas, D’Urbino &am...
Leather, Walnut
Mid-Century Grand Italian Curved Sofa in Sky Blue Upholstery and Wood 300cm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Large curved sofa, fabric, wood, Italy, 1950s A generously sized curved sofa rooted in the Italian mid-century design of the 1950s. Upholstered in a soft, slightly muted blue fabric...
Fabric, Wood
Expertly Restored - H.W. Klein Teak & Tweed Love Seat Sofa for Komfort
By H.W. Klein, Komfort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Teak Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New Pirelli Webbing, New High-Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is li...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak
Lawson-Fenning Large Bosque Sofa, Fully Upholstered, Modern Couch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Bosque started with a question - How do you make a sofa that anchors a room without dominating it? The answer was in the proportions: broad, low, deliberately grounded. A profile...
Upholstery
Mah Jong Sofa Missoni Fabrics by Hans Hopfer Roche Bobois 21st C
By Roche Bobois, Missoni, Hans Hopfer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A rare and iconic 21st century Roche Bobois 'Mah Jong' modular sectional sofa designed in 1971 by Hans Hopfer (Germany b. 1931). The sofa is a "Composition Missoni" featuring dramati...
Fabric, Foam
Lawson-Fenning Bosque Sectional w/ Chaise, Fully Upholstered, Modern Couch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The sectional version of the Bosque Sofa, built to the same logic: broad proportions, low profile, plush cushioning over a substantial frame. Designed to define the landscape of a ro...
Upholstery
Mid Century Coastal Bamboo Sofa by Ritts - Tropitan design att. to Paul Frankl
By Ritts Tropitan, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Classic MId Century, Coastal Style bamboo sofa, made by Ritts - Tropitan, design attributed to Paul Frankl. The sofa features five stalk wide arms, with stylized bentwood arms, frame...
Bamboo
Midcentury Sofa in Bamboo, Rattan and Fabric by Vivai Del Sud, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing geometric sofa in bamboo, rattan and fabric by Vivai Del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vivai del sud, Gabriella Crespi and Arpex were the three leading de...
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 'Bastiano' Sofa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 'Bastiano' sofa, ash, fabric, Italy, design 1960 This Bastiano sofa truly intensifies the experience of sitting itself and is a standout in any modern room....
Fabric, Ash
Italian Mid-Century Modern Curved Sofa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, wood, fabric, Italy, 1950s This elegant Italian sofa from the early 1950s is a refined example of postwar design, defined by its streamlined silhouette and gently curved form....
Fabric, Wood
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940 An early sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, dating to approximately 1940. This substantial example features a generous seating ...
Upholstery
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal 'Vario Pillo' Modular Sofa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal, model 'Vario Pillo', modular sofa, Germany, 1970s This exuberant buildable sofa is designed by Burkhard Vogtherr. A very rare type of modular sofa w...
Fabric, Plastic
$2,040Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Black Leather 3 Seat Sofa oak Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful Black leather 3 seat sofa dark wood legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Beautiful Black leather is soft and shows little signs of use but broken in nic...
Leather, Oak
Italian Post-Modern Sculptural Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, cognac leather, sofa, Italy, circa 1970 This striking sofa is executed in beautiful cognac leather that contributes to a refined monochrome appearance, emphasizing the sculptu...
Leather
Paul Láslzó Bench in Mahogany and Cane
By Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul László for Glenn of California, bench or sofa, mahogany, cane, United States, 1950 Designed in 1950, this rare bench sofa occupies a significant position within Paul László’s p...
Cane, Mahogany
Italian Mid-Century Modern Corner Sofa in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Corner sofa, walnut, fabric, Italy, 1960s This sculptural Italian mid-century modern sofa from the 1960s is defined by its sweeping curved form, conceived to organize the surroundin...
Fabric, Walnut
Early Pierre Chapo 'L09G' Sofa or Bench in Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, bench, 'L09G', elm, fabric, France, 1978 This piece is an early edition designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his commitment to pure and clean design and construction pr...
Fabric, Elm
Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for France & Søn, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern Minerva corner sofa set. Design by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for France & Søn. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Solid ...
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Teak and Grey Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '2557', fabric, teak, 1955 This sofa model 2557 is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1955. This sofa is simpl...
Fabric, Teak
Mid Century Stacked Bamboo Ratan Sofa Daybed
By Paul Frankl
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Stunning example of vintage bamboo. This gorgeous stacked bamboo daybed sofa has show stopping lines and will add warmth and texture to any space. It has been modernized with all new...
Fabric, Bamboo
1990s Gerard van den Berg 'High Noon' Cognac Leather Sofa, Chrome Frame
By Molteni & C, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1990s Gerard van den Berg 'High Noon' cognac colored leather Sofa with chrome frame. Designed by Gerard van den Berg under his independent 'Gerard van den Berg Design' studio during ...
Metal
Mid-Century Modernist Curved Sofa in Oyster Velvet Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modernist curved sofa is a quintessential example of sophisticated 1980s American design. Featuring an elegant, flowing silhouette, the sofa’s gently curved...
Velvet
Mid-Century American Sectional Corner Sofa in Finely Striped Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular corner sofa, fabric, beech, brass, United States, 1960s This sectional corner sofa is a typical midcentury design of the United States designed in the tradition of Harvey Pr...
Brass
Adrian Pearsall 'Cloud' Sofa in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall, 'Cloud' sofa, walnut, fabric, United States, 1950s Adrian Pearsall's "Cloud" sofa, crafted in the 1950s in the United States, is a stunning example of mid-century m...
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Italian Two Seater Sofa in Green Velvet and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Two seater sofa, velvet fabric, mahogany, Italy, 1950s An Italian sofa from the 1950s, its shape is characteristic of postwar modern design. The armrests are striking in their desig...
Fabric, Mahogany
Adrian Pearsall 'Cloud' Sofa in Illustrative Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall for Crafts Associations, cloud sofa, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s The Cloud sofa by Adrian Pearsall features a long, asymmetrical seat defined by sinuous, sc...
Fabric, Wood
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mid century Vintage Bastiano Rosewood tan leather long sofa Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll, Gavina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Vintage Bastiano 3 seat long low sofa with a rosewood frame and Original tan leather cushions. All straps are original and functional the frame has a beautiful rosewood w...
Brass
Bastiano Sofa Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina Italy, 1960s
Located in Round Rock, TX
Three-seat “Bastiano” sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, produced in Italy prior to the later Knoll manufacturing examples. An early and increasingly difficult-to-find version...
Fabric, Rosewood
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Sienna ultrasuede 3 Seat Sofa birch Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful Sienna ultrasuede Long leather 3 seat sofa with round Birch legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Beautiful ultrasuede is soft and shows no signs of use ...
Birch, Ultrasuede
Danish 1940's Banana Sofa with Straight Back and Front
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming upholstered sofa made in Denmark sometime in the 12940's. Voluptuous organic design lines. This sofa is unique by having a straight back and front and not the curvatur...
Beech, Wool
Ficks Reed Style Sofa Patio Furniture Rattan Vintage Sofa Palm Beach
Located in Rochester, NY
Ficks Reed style 3 seater sofa in immaculate condition. Part of a set including another armchair. DM for details on set! But this piece is gorgeous and in immaculate vintage conditi...
Rattan, Wood
De Sede Daybed DS 80 Patchwork Nut Brown Aniline Leather Wood Frame 1969
By De Sede
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage DS 80 daybed launched and designed by Swiss De Sede in 1969 It's upholstered with the original high end quality soft aniline nut brown leather. The patchwork pieces are sust...
Leather, Wood
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes Red Leather Amigo Sofa
By Ekornes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes 'Amigo' Redish burnt orange leather 3 seat sofa. Great vibrant Red soft leather tufted cushions and arm rests with solid Stained birch wood ...
Leather, Birch, Foam
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc '6999' Sofa in Mohair and Walnut
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc, sofa, model '6999', reupholstered in “Bold” by Pierre Frey, walnut, United States, made 1950s This mid-century modern sofa, designed by Vladim...
Fabric, Walnut
Early Midcentury Club Sofa by Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare Danish club sofa produced in Denmark in the 1940s by Fritz Hansen. The sofa is matching the famed model 1518 chair but it is rare to find the sofa. Legs made from solid beech. ...
Leather, Mahogany
Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' Sofa in Elm and Checked Fabric
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sofa, elm, checkered fabric, Italy, 1975. Cubic ‘Artona’ sofa by Italian designer couple Afra and Tobia Scarpa. This sofa shows absolute st...
Fabric, Elm
Cassina 2‑Seat Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti, Italy, 1990
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A beautifully proportioned two‑seat sofa designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina in 1990, reflecting the enduring influence of mid‑century Italian design. Magistretti, o...
Fabric
Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa in Walnut and Pastel Pink Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall, 'Platform' sofa with two drawers, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s Adrian Pearsall is known for his rather unique sofa designs. The present model is no exceptio...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Florence Knoll Sofa in Original Woven Ivory Wool with Bronze Base 1960s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant three-seat sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates, circa 1960s. Upholstered in its original heavy weave textured ivory wool fabric, the sofa features Florence K...
Bronze
$11,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Contemporary 3 Seater Curved Sofa with Tailored Upholstery & Brass Plinth
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
This striking and sophisticated sofa is a beautiful blend of comfort and modern design. It features a graceful, upholstered curved form that creates an inviting and fluid silhouette....
Brass
Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan, Model 150BS
Located in Westport, CT
This stunning and rare Serpentine Sofa, Model 150BS, designed by Vladimir Kagan, dates to the 1990s and showcases his signature sensual, sculptural form. The gracefully curved frame ...
Linen, Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Modern Greenish Brown Tufted 82" Sofa Couch w/ Walnut Legs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern Greenish Brown Tufted 82" Sofa Couch w/ Tapered Walnut Leg...
Walnut, Wool
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 'Soriana' Sofa with Ottoman in Cognac Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Soriana' sofa with ottoman, leather, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1969 Iconic design by Italian designer couple Afra & Tobia Scarpa. The ‘Soriana’ p...
Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Smoked Sapphire Velvet Sculptural Supported Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist sofa, upholstered in luxurious smoked sapphire blue velvet and featuring sculptural supports, is a masterful example of the work of celebrated American de...
Velvet, Wood
De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for Poltronova 'PITTI' Sofa in Leather and Walnut
By C.R.S. De Padova, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for Poltronova, sofa model 'PITTI', leather, walnut, Italy, 1977 Stunning beautifully patinated sofa designed by the Italian trio De Pas, D’Urbino &am...
Leather, Walnut
Mid-Century Sofa in the style of Harvey Probber
Located in Bantam, CT
Elegant sloped arm sofa, comfortable proportions. Sofa was reupholstered in a Maharam wool tweed. Shows minor wear, general good condition.
Fabric, Wool, Oak
Guillerme & Chambron Sofa 'Denis' in Solid Oak and Red Pink Velvet
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, sofa model 'Denis', velvet, oak, France, 1960s Extraordinary Guillerme and Chambron sofa in solid oak with the typical characteristic decorat...
Velvet, Oak
Mario Bellini, Modular Sofa, Fabric, Metal, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A green fabric and metal modular sofa, model Camaleonda, designed by Mario Bellini and produced by B&B Italia, Italy, c. 1970s. Some staining on fabric. One fastener on one seat cus...
Metal