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.
3-seater sofa model EJ 20/3 by Jørgen Gammelgaard for Erik Jørgensen
By Jørgen Gammelgaard, Erik Jørgensen
Located in Lejre, DK
3-seater sofa model EJ 20/3 by Jørgen Gammelgaard for Erik Jørgensen. Danish design in black leather with brushed steel legs. — Origin: Denmark — Designer: Jørgen Gammelgaard — Manu...
Steel
Rare Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa by Percival Lafer Brazil 1970
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Amazing Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa Designed by Percival Lafer Made in Brazil. Cube designed Shaped 3 seat fully upholstered Burnt saffron yellow color Soft leather sof...
Leather, Wood
Danish Midcentury Sofa with Legs and Accents in Teak by Georg Thams Denmark 1957
By Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super cool and elegant sofa by Georg Thams for Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik. Designed and produced around 1957. Epitome of Danish 1950's style by one of the iconic designers. Solid and...
Wool, Teak
Charlotte Perriand LC35 Maison Du Brésil Daybed by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Daybed designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1959. Relaunched in 2018. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. This daybed is part of a faithful reproduction of a student room in the Maison du Brésil...
Wood
Rare Jean Prouvé Mid Century Modern Double Daybed, Circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
S.C.A.L. double daybed designed by Jean Prouvé. Experience the refined simplicity of Mid Century Modern design with this stunning S.C.A.L. double daybed, meticulously crafted by the ...
Metal
Mid Century Modern 1960s Sofa by Viko Baumritter
Located in New York, NY
This floating 1960s sofa was manufactured by Viko Baumritter , an American furniture Company that later became Ethan Allen. The sofa has a metal frame and metal splay legs with a fau...
Metal
Le Bambole cotton bouclè upholstery sofa by Bellini for B&B Italy 1972 modern
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole 3 seater sofa designed by Mario Bellini for C&b Italia , Polyurethane structure, bouclè cotton fabric, restored. Excellent conditions, the Bambole series won the Compa...
Fabric, Rubber
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Brazilian Modern Sculpted Sofa in Rosewood & Celadon Mohair, Novo Rumo, 1960s
By Novo Rumo
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Novo Rumo in São Paulo during the 1960s, this monumental Brazilian Modern sofa combines generous comfort with a commanding architectural presence. Founded by architect an...
Mohair, Rosewood
$26,800Sale Price|21% Off
'Mole' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s, Signed
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare signed example of the 'Mole' sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by OCA Brazil in the 1960s (see image gallery for a photo of the OCA stamp). This Mole sofa has an expansive am...
Rosewood, Leather
Suede Sofa by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobler, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Suede Two-Seater Sofa by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler. This two-seater sofa, designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler, exemplifies Norwegian Mid-Century Modern design. Newly ...
Suede
Lawson-Fenning San Rafael Sofa, Tweed & Solid Oak, Modern Couch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Rafael Sofa is a generously proportioned sofa that excels in comfort. The plush wide-channel tufted cushions are tailored beautifully to interlock with the expertly crafted ...
Upholstery, Oak
$24,950 / item
Patricia Urquiola Ardys Sofa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ardys Sofa for Cassina. AN AESTHETIC THAT ENVELOPS THE GAZE Patricia Urquiola designs Ardys, a low-slung sofa that expresses softness as a visual quality as much as a tactile one. ...
Upholstery
Nikolai Lafuge Buriti Sofa - Large, Performance Fabric Cushions, Modern Couch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Nikolai Lafuge in Los Angeles. Created with Eileen Gray's Lota and traditional British sofas in mind, the Buriti is an inviting and plush des...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Nelson Daybed in Black Mohair, c. 1950s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Sophisticated yet effortless, this vintage MCM sofa bed is the iconic Nelson Daybed, originally designed by George Nelson in 1949 for the Herman Miller Collection. One of the most in...
Steel
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
Danish Designer, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white bouclé fabric and dark-stained wood sofa designed and produced in Denmark, 1940s. Seat height (inches): 14” All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Fabric, Wood
Patricia Urquiola ''Trampoline' Outdoor Sofa, Steel, Rope and Fabric by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Outdoor sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Patricia Urquiola interprets the happiness of life outdoors with a collection full of playful...
Steel
Lawson-Fenning Douglas Sofa, Brown Mohair & Solid Walnut, Modern Couch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Douglas sofa is a low-slung sofa with a down-wrapped seat cushion and solid American walnut or white oak legs. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Ang...
Mohair, Walnut
Modular leather sofa, manufactured by Durlet, Belgium, 1970s.
By Durlet
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Modular leather sofa, manufactured by Durlet, Belgium, 1970s. The sofa consists of four seating elements, 2 two-seats and 2 one-seats. The elements can be attached to each other with...
Leather
Mid Century Danish Brown Leather & Rosewood Sofa
By Galvano
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Simple Mid Century Danish Sofa with an executive sort of feel. Manufactured by Soda Gavano Sofa is dark chocolate leather with a rosewood base. Sofa is well loved. Leather shows ...
Leather, Rosewood
$5,400Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Tobia Scarpa Sofa with Upholstered Cushions Bastiano, 1960s
By Knoll, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Basel, BS
Attributed to Knoll by Tobia Scarpa, no label is present. Incredibly beautiful design, and original designer upholstery make this stunning piece shine in any space. Original fabric i...
Upholstery, Wood
Modernistic Rivaro Sofa with Beige Upholstery And Dark Wood
Located in Freamunde, PT
Rivaro is a refined piece of contemporary design that blends modern minimalism with organic curves. Its uniqueness lies in the sculptural quality of its form — soft, rounded edges co...
Brass
$3,300Sale Price|40% Off
Mid Century Danish Modern 3 Seat 205 Sofa by Børge Mogensen Sofa Green
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern 3 seat sofa by børge mogensen sofa. Great Scandinavian Modern Borge Mogensen model 205 low slung three-seat sofa. Manufactured by Frederica Stolefabrik in 1...
Upholstery, Wood
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
Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Platform Loveseat with Original Fabric 1960's
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional 1960s loveseat by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, featuring a sculptural walnut frame floating above a contrasting black plinth base with original fabric straps and...
Slate
$3,713Sale Price|20% Off
1960's Midcentury Modern Design Boucle Wool 3 Seat Sofa
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Belgian Design Boucle Wool 3 Seat Sofa. Made in Belgium, 1960's period. This is custom / bespoke made by a Belgian furniture maker for the previous owners t...
Bouclé
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC5 Sofa by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sofa designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand in 1934. Relaunched by Cassina in 2014. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Contemporary and comfortable lines for ...
Metal
Kurt Østervig Attributed Large Danish Four-Seat Sofa, 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Amazing sofa sleek organic design lines and just the epitome of the best the Danish designers of the 1960s had to offer. Some of these fantastic designs were in many ways the last ho...
Wool, Teak
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Imbuia Wood & Champagne Camel Mohair, Cimo, 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional example of Brazilian Modernism from the 1950s, this sculptural sofa by Cimo embodies the restrained elegance, refined craftsmanship, and architectural clarity that def...
Imbuia, Mohair
Mid-Century Modern Kidney Shaped Curved Serpentine Biomorphic Cloud Sofa
By Baker Furniture Company, Drexel
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern biomorphic kidney shaped sofa. This long tailored cloud sofa features an elongated removable single seat cushion with a curved tight back. Original neutra...
Upholstery, Wood
Finn Juhl, Rare Sofa, Walnut, Fabric, United States, 1951
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in High Point, NC
A rare fabric and walnut sofa designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Baker, USA, 1950s. Fully restored, pre-restoration images available upon request. Overall Dimensions (inches): 4...
Fabric, Walnut
Sofa With Sculptural Armrests in Oak and Brown Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, oak, fabric, Czech Republic, 1960s A comfortable and bulky three seat sofa with a soft feel. This sofa is made in the Czech Republic in the 1960s. One of the elegant character...
Fabric, Oak
$6,405Sale Price|25% Off
Rare Lou Hodges Three-Seat Sling Sofa, Oak & Leather, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly rare and iconic 1970's Sling sofa by Lou Hodges for California Design Group has been restored and is in beautiful condition. As comfortable as it is striking, this ic...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
$19,861 / item
Patricia Urquiola ''Trampoline' Outdoor Sofa by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Outdoor sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Patricia Urquiola interprets the happiness of outdoor life with a high-impact product inspired by the little trampolines found in the gardens of homes in Greenland. Trampoline is a striking and elegant love bed...
Steel
5 Piece Sofa Set for Reupholstering, Manufactured by Isa Bergamo in the 1950s
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The sofa set was designed and manufactured by ISA Bergamo in the 1950s. The set with gold lacquered cast aluminum legs consists of a curved sofa, two armchairs, and two smaller side chairs...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Danish Modern Sofa by Kurt Olsen Model 220 Papa Bear Style, 1960's
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian designed sofa by Kurt Olsen for Slagelse Mobelvaerk as Model 220. This iconic sofa has a slight curve to it ...
Wool
$8,800Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ivory Velvet Sofa w Hexagonal Walnut Legs, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Sofa by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern Design
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 first project by Antonio Citterio for Cassina ? a modular sofa that embodies the timeless elegance and style the Italian designer is known for and, at the same time, is an aspirational tribute to the art of the great masters and to the practice of visualizing furniture by detaching the structural part from its padded interior. In fact, Esosoft consists of an aluminium exoskeleton and a shell with an organic silhouette upon which soft cushions are placed. Past and future coexist in this shape ? reminiscent of the concept of casual comfort typical of the 1960s ? that benefits from cutting-edge production techniques, mindfully chosen to make the system circular and sustainable. Thanks to the work of Cassina LAB, materials like a polyurethane foam that contains a percentage of polyols deriving from biological sources and blown recycled PET fibre in the backrest cushions. The Esosoft collection comprises eight modules that can be used as individual sofas or combined to form corner arrangements, lending the utmost flexibility to the configuration of living spaces...
Fabric
1980s Modular Ganging ELYSÉE Sofa Unit Sectional by Steelcase
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Steelcase
Located in Bensalem, PA
Great six piece Steelcase modular sectional sofa
Upholstery
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern banana shaped sofa with curved armrests, made by Danish cabinetmaker in the earl...
Fabric
1970s Elegant Wood Frame Sofa – Newly Reupholstered, Mid-Century Design
Located in Krefeld, DE
Elegant 1970s sofa featuring a beautifully wooden frame and refined fabric upholstery. The piece showcases the distinctive design language of the era, quality craftsmanship, and a ti...
Fabric, Wood
Danish Designer, Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white fabric and wood sofa or loveseat designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1950s. Vintage fabric ideally replaced, several minor stains. Wear consistent with age and use. ...
Fabric, Wood
Togo Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, Customised in Green Corduroy
Located in PARIS, FR
When French designer Michel Ducaroy presented the Togo to Ligne Roset in 1973, he described it as "a tube of toothpaste folded back on itself." A graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts...
Fabric, Foam
$2,088Sale Price|20% Off
DS 44 Two Seater Sofa in Buffalo Brown Leather by De Sede
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
De Sede DS 44. Upholstered in brown buffalo leather. Softly padded, cubic frame with rounded armrests. Backrest with vertical quilting. Extendable seat
Leather, Wood
Maralunga sofa in alcantara original fabric vico magistretti cassina
Located in Ghedi, IT
Iconico divano Maralunga 3 posti disegnato da Vico Magistretti per Cassina (marchio originale, completo di targhetta).Rivestimento in Alcantara ruggine di grande effetto, un colore c...
Velvet
Attributed Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Velvet Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant and splendid three-seater sofa with high backrest attributed Gio Ponti, 1950s, for ISA Edizioni, Bergamo. Carved profile, refined lines, sensual and deep comfort. The ivory v...
Velvet, Beech, Fir
Danish Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat Early 1950s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa from the 1940s. Often called banana sofas by the Danes due to the curved shape. This sofa has slightly more straight backrest an...
Brass
Vico Magistretti Maralunga 40 Maxi Sofa for Cassina, Italy - new
Located in Berlin, DE
The two-seater is available in 204cm or 214cm width. The three-seater is available in 300cm or 310cm width. The price of the sofa is dependent on the chosen fabric and size. The ic...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
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
Cerdá, Sofa, Bamboo, Rattan, Velvet, Spain, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo, rattan and green velvet sofa produced by Cerdá, Spain, c. 1950s. Cushions reupholstered in brand new velvet. Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.75"H x 75.0"W x 29.5"D Seat ...
Velvet, Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1961 Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Kroehler, Chicago
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A rare and fully documented example of early 1960s American modernism, this Kroehler sofa carries an extraordinary provenance detail: the original purcha...
Upholstery
Danish Midcentury 3-Seater Sofa in Solid Oak and Wool by Henry Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and sought after sofa attributed to Danish Designer, Henning Kjaernulf made from quarter-sawn white oak, Hand carved in brutalist style seeking inspiration from art & crafts...
Brass
Vico Magistretti – Maralunga Sofa – Cassina
Located in Budapest, HU
Vico Magistretti – Maralunga Sofa for Cassina – 1 Piece Designed by the renowned Vico Magistretti for Cassina, this Maralunga sofa is ...
Metal
Drabert Lobbytop Leather Sofa by Otto Zapf, Black, Modern Design, 1970
This Lobbytop three-seater leather sofa is upholstered in soft, high-quality leather and is in very good condition. The black, smooth leather shows a slight patina on the seat cushio...
Leather
Finnish Designer, Sofa, Birch, Fabric, Metal, Finland, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch, off-white fabric and metal sofa designed in Finland, 1930s. Seat Height (inches): 16” Arm Height (inches): 23.56" All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Metal
$3,528Sale Price|57% Off
Mid Century Modern Sofa by Hartmut Lohmeyer for Wilkhahn, Teak and Cane, 1950s
Located in Rosendahl, DE
1950s sofa by Hartmut Lohmeyer for Wilkhahn. Filigree teak frame with a bast backrest. New upholstery with a coarse weave high quality fabric. Excellent condition with signs of age.
Wool, Rattan, Teak
$24,733 / item
Patricia Urquiola Beam Sofa System For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Patricia Urquiola Beam Sofa System For Cassina An innovative upholstered seating system, supported by a beam that allows sectional elements to be combined i...
Foam
Mid Century Danish Modern black Leather 3 seat Sofa nice patina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern Black leather 3 seat sofa with blonde birch wood legs. Beautiful black leather is soft and shows little signs of use but broken in nicely. Great Danish Mode...
Leather, Birch
$3,713Sale Price|20% Off
1970's Midcentury Modern Italian Design Leather 3 Seat Sofa
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design Leather 3 Seat Sofa. Made in Italy, 1960's / 70's period. Cognac leather three seat sofa with straps and buckles on the side rests. Bulbous s...
Leather