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.
Vintage Stick Rattan Sofa After Bielecky Brothers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage stick rattan sofa is a striking homage to the legendary designs of the Bielecky Brothers, capturing a sophisticated blend of architectural structure and organic texture....
Fabric, Rattan, Wicker
De Sede DS-1025/09 Terrazza Ubald Klug, Customised in Black Leather
Located in PARIS, FR
Designed in 1973 by Swiss architect Ubald Klug for de Sede, the Terrazza (DS-1025) was conceived as a landscape rather than a sofa — a stepped, terraced form inspired by the alpine v...
Leather, Foam, Wood
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
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
$7,916Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1980s Three Seat Sofa by Preview
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage 1980s Three Seat Sofa by Preview USA, Circa 1980's A quietly luxurious Preview 3 piece attached 'sectional' sofa from the 1980s. This 88-inch wide, 36-inch deep, and 27-inch...
Upholstery
$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
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
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
$3,300Sale Price|40% Off
Midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Frame Sofa or Daybed
By Mel Smilow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Walnut frame long low sofa or daybed. Beautiful armless sofa with solid walnut sculpted frame and steel spring support insert. Has Orig...
Steel
Original Lara Sofa by Pamio, Toso and Massari for Stilwood, Italy, 1960s
By Mario Bellini, Stilwood, Pierre Paulin, Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Lara sofa by Roberto Pamio, Renato Toso and Noti Massari for Stilwood, Italy 1950s/1960s. Newly reupholstered in a premium, pure Alpaca wool fabric. Ships worldwide.
Foam
Vintage Swedish Sofa in Black Leather by John-Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This elegant, quilted sofa designed by John-Bertil Häggström for the Swedish manufacture Swed-Form, Skillingaryd during the 1970s. The sofa is upholstered in black natural leather wi...
Metal
Englander & Bonta Attribution, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Brass, Argentina, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-brown velvet, wood and brass sofa attributed to Englander & Bonta, Argentina, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.75"H x 100.0"W x 42.0"D Seat Height (inches): 18.5" ...
Brass
Cinna ‘Sandra’ Three-Seater Sofa by Annie Hiéronimus, France, 1970s
By Annie Hiéronimus, Cinna (Ligne Roset)
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
An iconic Sandra three-seater sofa designed by Annie Hiéronimus for Cinna, France, during the 1970s. With its generously rounded silhouette, soft sculptural lines, and deep seating c...
Velvet
$3,533Sale 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
American 1940's Tufted Curved Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super stylish curved sofa. Made in the US probably in the 1940's maybe early 1950's. Designer and maker unknown. Tufted and with loose cushion. Has a bit of Hollywood pana...
Wool, Wood
Danish MCM Grand Piano Sofa in Green Velvet
Located in Dallas, TX
The Danish MCM Grand Piano Sofa in Green Velvet is a luxurious and stylish and unique piece of furniture. This sofa features a unique design inspired by a grand piano, with a plush g...
Upholstery, Wood
Le Bambole 3-Seater Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Located in amstelveen, NL
An exceptional and highly collectible “Le Bambole” sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, one of the most celebrated icons of 20th-century Italian design. This authentic vint...
Cotton
Danish Midcentury 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Alfred Christensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests carved from solid beech wood and made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful ref...
Wool, Beech
R Huber Mid Century Teak Sofa
Located in Franklin Park, IL
R Huber Mid Century Teak Sofa This sofa measures: 79 wide x 36 deep x 31 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 24 inches Fair Vintage Condi...
Upholstery, Teak
Saporiti Italia "Wave" Sofa by Giovanni Offredi 1970s
By Fratelli Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed in 1974 by Giovanni Offredi, "Wave" three seat sofa. Since 1950 Saporiti has produced some of the most sophisticated and advanced pieces of furniture in the history of Itali...
Steel
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 101 wide x 33 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 21.5 inches We take our photos i...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley Model 4907 sofa and Ottoman for Dunbar Mid Century
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, the Model 4907 sofa exemplifies the designer’s masterful balance of modern restraint and traditional comfort. Introduced in the mid-20th centur...
Upholstery
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Minerva Daybed Sofa France and Sons Denmark
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage Rare Extra Long Danish modern Minerva Daybed Sofa. Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart circa 1960's. Beautiful sleek Mid Century Design. Rare extra long size...
Teak
Metal Mid Century Garden Poolside Sofa bench by Homecrest
By Homecrest
Located in New York, NY
Probably the most sought after form made by Homecrest, this settee if from the Chiquita series circa 1960's. This example is in very good, original estate condition, showing only the...
Steel
Gio Ponti Art Dèco Italian Sofa from Hotel Bristol Merano, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Luxurious Art Deco sofa designed by Gio Ponti for the Hotel Bristol Merano Italia. Sofa with low armrests and a sculptural shape. Made in Italy in the early 1950s. The velvet is worn...
Velvet, Beech
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid Century Danish Modern Thomasville Walnut & Faux Leather Sofa & Chair 20thC
By Thomasville
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Mid Century Danish Modern seating set by Thomasville includes settee and chair and offers walnut frame with leatherette upholstered seats, backs and arms, Founders as labeled, 20th...
Faux Leather, Walnut
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
Mid-Century Modern to Modern & Hollywood Regency 2 Piece Angled Sectional Sofa
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Mid-Century Modern to modern & Hollywood Regency white fabric two piece angled sectional sofa with square tapered wood legs. Beautiful c...
Fabric, Wood
Sofa / Daybed "Minerva" by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen France & Søn, 60s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sofa daybed from the 1960s by France and Søn made of teakwood. This piece is featuring two cushioned armrests. The piece has been restored and covered with a light grey fabric "Halli...
Wool, Teak
1970's Yngve Ekstrom Style Fat Pine Framed Reclining Sofa with White Upholstery
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chunky pine frame sofa designed in the manner of Yngve Ekström's work for Swedese, dating to the 1970s. The large-scale frame is constructed from solid pine with thick rectangular sl...
Upholstery, Pine
Vintage English Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Envision transforming your living space with this remarkable vintage leather Chesterfield sofa, a true masterpiece of mid-20th century British craftsmanship. This sofa is more than j...
Brass
Danish 1940's Loveseat or Small Sofa in Blue Wool
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Charming Danish 1940's loveseat. From the era of the "banana" sofas but with a more angular shape. Very plush and voluptuous. Sturdy and strong and very comfortable with coil springs...
Wool, Beech
Florence Knoll Sofa. Expertly redone in Charcoal Robert Allen Chenille Fabric.
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Armless Florence Knoll parallel bar sofa expertly reupholstered in Robert Allen Chenille fabric. Charcoal gray. Beautiful and comforta...
Steel, Chrome
$3,904Sale Price|30% Off
Jacquard fabric Sofa, Mario Bellini, "Le stelle" B&B Italia, 1970
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa by Italian designer Mario Bellini, produced by B&B Italia, model "La Stelle". Made with a metal frame and upholstered in the original linen and cotton jacquard fabric. The origi...
Metal
William Hinn Attribution, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and blue fabric sofa attributed to William Hinn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair condition Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.5"H x 8...
Fabric, Wood
Limited Edition Notturno A New York Sofa by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Notturno A New York sofa by Gaetano Pesce Manufactured by Cassina in Italy Limited Edition of 50 pieces DESIGN TRIBUTE TO THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS The New York skyline in a sofa,...
Fabric
Fabulous Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Shelter Sofa 2 Ottoman Mid-Centuy Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent Shelter Sofa and 2 ottomans by Milo Baughman. A true masterwork, the timeless Shelter sofa is an unparalleled modern classic. Born out of Baughman’s philosophy that furn...
Upholstery
Model 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Karis, Nyland
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Florence Knoll, model 578, produced by Knoll International in the 1950s. The design reflects Knoll’s signature balance of clean lines and f...
Metal
Sofa or Couch with wickerwork backrest by Hartmut Lohmeyer, German Design, 1950s
Located in München, Bavaria
Maße: ca. 180 × 74 × 74 × 43 cm (Breite × Tiefe × Höhe × Sitzhöhe) Außergewöhnlich formschönes und ausgesprochen seltenes Sofa aus der 400er-Reihe, entworfen von Hartmut Lohmeyer fü...
Upholstery, Wicker, Teak, Cane
RARE Alberto Rosselli Sofa Two Seater for Saporiti 'Confidential', Italy, 1970s
By Saporiti, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Basel, BS
Alberto Rosselli Set For Saporiti 'Confidential', Italy Design, 1972 Two seater sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti-- 2 available, sold individually. Matching Ottoman (comes with ...
Steel
$6,560Sale Price|20% Off
Biscuit Tufted Sofa by Maurice Bailey, Burnt Gold Velvet, 1960s Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 1970s Biscuit Tufted Sofa by Maurice Bailey for Monteverdi and Young in a burnt gold crushed velvet upholstery. In good vintage condition with a nice patina throughout. V...
Velvet, Walnut
limited edition Tramonto A New York Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Berlin, DE
1 of 50 limited edition Tramonto A New York Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina For the three-seater sofa, the padded skyscrapers are upholstered in an exclusive fabric with a raised t...
Fabric
Saporiti Italia Two Seater "Wave" Sofa by Giovanni Offredi 1970s
By Fratelli Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed in 1974 by Giovanni Offredi, "Wave" two seat sofa / settee. Since 1950 Saporiti has produced some of the most sophisticated and advanced pieces of furniture in the history o...
Steel
Weiman 1980s U-Shaped Sectional Pit Sofa
By Weiman, Milo Baughman
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning pit sofa by Weiman
Ultrasuede
Danish 1940's Fritz Hansen Leather Sofa with New Sheepskin Seat
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare Danish club sofa produced in Denmark likely, circa late 1930s to early 1940's by Fritz Hansen of Denmark. Legs made from solid beech. Comfortable and super solid with nice and s...
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
Luigi Scremin, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A purple fabric and wood sofa or settee designed and produced by Luigi Scremin, Italy, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in a brand new Lupa Wool Linen from ZAK+FOX. Overall Dimensions (inch...
Fabric, Wood
Alessandro Becchi Anfibio cognac leather comvertible sofa
Located in Brussel, BE
Rare Anfibio sofa by Alessandro Becchi in cognac leather. Comvertible sofa, in really good condition
Leather
Mattia Bonetti, Sofa, Velvet, Nickel-Plated Steel, France, 2018
Located in High Point, NC
A blue velvet and nickel-plated stainless steel sofa designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, France, 2018. Prototype 1 from an edition of 12, 2 artist's proofs and 2 prototypes. P...
Stainless Steel, Nickel
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 4
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage ed...
Velvet, Plastic
$14,873Sale Price|20% Off
Iconic Anfibio sofa by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti 1970
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Iconic 3 seater sofa/bed designed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, 1970. The sofa is in original leather, very good condition, smaal sign of aging, small hole( about2 mm) in the...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Galapinhos Lounge Chair, Beige Cotton, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Galapinhos Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Galapinhos lounge chair brings the essence of nature indoors...
Leather, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Wood, Oak, Walnut, Burl, Alpaca, Mohair,...
Edward Wormley, Sofa, Fabric, Aluminum, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige fabric and aluminum sofa designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, USA, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric ideally replaced. Overall Dimens...
Aluminum
Moncloud Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina, Modern Italian Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Moncloud Sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) THE FUTURE IN A SOFA A generous, welcoming refuge that celebrates comfort and hospitality. Designed by ...
Upholstery
Martin Visser Important One-Off Boomerang Sofa in Wengé and Black Leather 1970
Located in Meer, VAN
Martin Visser One-Off Boomerang Sofa in Solid Wengé and Black Leather The Netherlands 1970 A very special and one-off boomerang style sofa by Martin Visser, one of the most renowned...
Leather, Wenge
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa in Brown Leather, Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Raphael Raffel designed, 1970's, made-to-order natural leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Raphael Raffel (1912-2000), who trained at the École des Beaux Arts, was a well-know...
Leather
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Sofa after Marco Zanuso, circa 1960s Divano Sleep-o-Matic
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian sofa or daybed. New upholstery vintage Bordeaux wine color mohair, brass and metal legs, pule up mechanism handle on the back of the sofa converts the sofa in to the bed. US ...
Metal, Brass
Contemporary Galapinhos Lounge Chair, Oak Root, Cotton, 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...
Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Wood, Leather, Burl, Oak, Walnut
1960's California Studio Walnut Sofa Bench
By Sam Maloof
Located in Oakland, CA
1960’s California studio-craft walnut sofa hand carved of solid walnut with sculptural arms, fine joinery, slatted back, and two built-in tapered side tables. Raised on round tapered...
Walnut
Midcentury James Mont Style Lacquered Gondola Sofa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic mid-century modern upholstered gondola sofa made in the style and manner of James Mont. The chic sofa features a gondola sled inspired wood frame with an ebonized black lac...
Fabric, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional, 1980s
Located in Stamford, CT
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud, Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Directional 1980s. The Cloud Sofa, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional. The original Directional produ...
Upholstery
$4,583
Mid-Century Sofa Bed
Located in London, England
Mid-Century sofa bed with solid teak frame newly polished and re-covered in cream boucle fabric. U.K circa 1960.
Fabric, Teak