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.
Expertly Restored - Early Hans J. Wegner JH-555 Teak Sofa for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Teak Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New High-Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history b...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Angle Sofa, C. 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a camel-colored upholstered frame with a tufted seat, four matching loose back pillows, and short square legs. A refined example of Wormley’s sophisticated modernist aesthe...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,544 / item
Wavy Back Sofa Upholstered in Pure Mohair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An elegant modern scallop back 2 person sofa upholstered in a premium, soft, green grey pure mohair fabric. Also available in bespoke widths and in COM - please enquire. Fast ship...
Fabric, Wood
Ekornes Stressless Mid Century Buckingham Leather Reclining Sofa
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ekornes Stressless Mid Century Buckingham Leather Reclining Sofa This sofa measures: 91.5 wide x 31.5 deep x 40.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 22.25 inche...
Leather, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist-Inspired Two-Cushion Sofa Loveseat (2 of 2)
By Paul Evans, Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A striking example of Adrian Pearsall’s bold design vision, this two-cushion sofa or loveseat blends clean modernist lines with dramatic Brutalist detailing. Upholstered in rich blac...
Upholstery, Resin, Wood
"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
5-piece modular sofa in zebu leather by Mario Bellini, Le Bambole model. Stamped under the seats. Seat height: 46 cm. Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE T...
Leather
1960s Long Jack Lenor Larsen Velvet Tuxedo Sofa in Style of Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Elkton, MD
A stunning oversized tuxedo sofa featuring original Jack Lenor Larsen polychrome velvet upholstery with a bold repeating geometric motif. Designed in the Paul McCobb style, this mid-...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Sofa Adrian Pearsall Style Gondola Sofa new upholstery
Located in Baltimore, MD
Mid-century modern stunning, beautiful, high-quality long gondola walnut framed sofa Adrian Pearsall style. In new upholstery fabric and high-density foam. An exceptional sofa both f...
Walnut, Fabric, Foam
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC5 Sofa by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand 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 fo...
Metal
Four-Seat Sofa in Brazilian Rosewood with Sculpted Back & Warm Bouclé, JD Moveis
Located in New York, NY
A refined expression of Brazilian modernism, this four-seat sofa pairs architectural clarity with exceptional material warmth. Crafted in richly grained Brazilian rosewood—its base r...
Metal
Edward Wormley Sofa Model 4906, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Edward Wormley Model 4906 sofa, made by Dunbar in the USA, 1950s. Fast shipping worldwide.
Brass
Danish Mid-Century Kurt Østervig Attributed Large Danish Four-Seat Sofa, 1960's
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 Two-in-One Rosewood Sofa & Daybed in Deep Olive Mohair, Celina
Located in New York, NY
A rare and intelligently engineered two-in-one sofa and daybed by Celina Decorações, Brazil, circa 1960—an exceptional example of Brazilian modernism where material nobility meets sp...
Mohair, Hardwood, Rosewood
Charlotte Perriand Refolo Sofa: Modular Mid-Century Modern Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charlotte Perriand Refolo Sofa For Cassina Envisioned in Tokyo in 1953 by Charlotte Perriand and still remarkably relevant today, this modular system can be used as a low coffee tab...
Wood
$2,202Sale Price|29% Off
Mid-Century Modern Italian Damask Velvet Corner Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Original Italian corner sofa from the 1950s, the upholstery is from the time, in damask velvet, in good condition but the intervention of the upholsterer is recommended.
Velvet, Beech
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, sofa, model 5150, fabric, metal, United States, 1950s. The sofa exudes a simple and elegant style, reminiscent of the classic design elements typically a...
Metal
Danish Designer, Organic Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic wood and red fabric sofa, designed and produced in Denmark, 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 15" Arm Height (inches): 25.38" All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Fabric, Wood
The Bastiano 4seater sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1966
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in View Park, CA
The Bastiano 4seater sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1966. Hailing from the estate of multihyphenate artist and fashion icon Nadia Lee Cohen, this piece is not for ...
Bouclé, Wood
Midcentury Modern Rare Carl Malmsten Velvet "Samsas" Sofa Sweden, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This midcentury icon sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten and this one was produced by O.H Sjögren. The sofa has a rare fabric in shifting red/pink velvet. It’s in good vintage conditi...
Velvet, Birch
1970s MP-211 Two-Seater Sofa by Percival Lafer in original black leather
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer and produced by Lafer S.A. in Brazil around 1975, the MP-211 two-seater sofa stands among the most recognizable and technically sophisticated examples of B...
Leather, Rosewood
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Olive Green Velvet, 1971
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” two-seater sofa for B&B Italia, olive green velvet, Italy, 1971. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag cont...
Velvet, Foam
$7,200Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Leather Soriana Cream Leather Settee Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
The Soriana was designed in both the settee and the sofa length. The Soriana was designed for Cassina by Tobia Scarpa won a “Compasso d’Oro” prize in 1969. With pleated and gathered ...
Chrome
Mid century Danish Modern Beautiful striped wool 3 Seat Sofa by Erik Jørgensen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful Mid century Danish modern off white / gray striped woven wool 3 seat sofa Birch wood frame and legs. Designed by Erik Jørgensen. Beautiful light gray striped upholstery is ...
Wool, Upholstery, Birch
1960s John Widdicomb Kidney Immaculate Green Beige Sofa Loveseats, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1960s with this exquisite loveseat set. The ultra rare set exudes an air of history and refinement. Outstanding design is exhib...
Upholstery, Wood
Folke Ohlsson for Dux Mid Century Danish Sofa
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Folke Ohlsson for Dux Mid Century Danish Sofa This sofa measures: 95 wide x 31 deep x 31 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height of 21 inches Fair Vintage Condition - ...
Upholstery
$11,129 / item
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 4, White
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 4 (1x large, 1x corner, 1x medium, 2x armrest): L 230-190cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / Seating H 42cm Modula...
Foam
Modern Barao Lounge Chair, Blue Green Chevron, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Barão Lounge Chair with footrest, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Barão lounge chair draws inspiration from the meticulous crafts...
Leather, Cotton, Fabric, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Oak, Walnut
Italian Designer, Sofa, Fabric, Metal, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered metal and white fabric sofa designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 36.75” H x 76” W x 35” D Seat height: 16.75”
Metal
Vatne Mobler Knut Saeter Rosewood Leather Sofa Danish Modern MCM
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1960’s 4 seater sofa designed by Knut Saeter in black leather and rosewood. Minimalist design with the suspended profile and flared arms, each se...
Leather, Rosewood
Carlo Scarpa Cornaro Loveseat / Armchair, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Carlo Scarpa Cornaro loveseat / armchair, pure Alpaca fabric, Italy. Produced by Gavina in the 1970s. Fast shipping worldwide.
Chrome
Mid-Century MP-211 Leather and Rosewood Sofa by Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century leather and rosewood model no. MP-211 by Percival Lafer. Made circa 1970s, Brazil. A gorgeous mix of materials and incredible design showcase why Lafer is one of our favo...
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam, Rosewood
1964 Original 932-Quartet Leather Sofa Sectional Mario Bellini for Cassina 2pcs
Located in Basel, BS
Move over, here comes the MEGA CULT CLASSIC, and Extremely rare Bellini that you can also sip Bellini's upon like a ROCK STAR! She is an absolute show stopper for any space... An ...
Leather, Canvas
Togo Sofa 3 seater - Michel Ducaroy Ligne Roset black Leather made in France
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Munster, NRW
Togo Sofa - Michel Ducaroy 1974 for Ligne Roset. 3-seater Sofa - manufactured in France. Made by Ligne Roset about 1990 in France, beautiful original condition in soft black leather...
Leather
$2,250Sale Price|50% Off
Mogens Hansen Leather Sofa, Model #535 Danish Modern Mid Century 1970's
Located in Hudson, NY
Mid Century leather sofa by Mogens Hansen, model #535. This sofa features gently curved track arms with soft, refined silhouettes. It's finished in supple leather with a soft, sun wa...
Leather, Wood
1970s Sistema 61 Giancarlo Piretti Castelli Italian Design Orange Modular Sofa
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Brescia, IT
"Sistema 41" Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli 1974 Iconic Modular sofa 8 elements in orange velvet Black plastic base Upholstery original vintage (some stains on the velvet)...
Velvet
New Linen Upholstery Three Seater Sofa Bamboo Sofa & Pair of Club Chairs MINT!
By Ficks Reed, McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
New Linen Upholstery Three Seater Sofa Bamboo Sofa & Pair of Club Chairs MINT! sofa dimensions: 32" x 64" x 33" lounge chair dimensions: 32" x 27" x 33"
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan, Linen, Bamboo
Italian Multi-Sectional Suede Couch by Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A bold and stylish Italian multisectional sofa upholstered in vibrant orange suede, manufactured by Roche Bobois. Featuring modular design for versatile seating configurations, clean...
Suede
Tobia Scarpa Coronado Sofas in Cognac Leather, B&B Italia, 1975, Italy
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 'Coronado' two seat sofas in beautiful cognac leather, designed by Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by the Italian firm, B&B Italia, circa 1975. The seating are made with a then revolutionary kind of molded polyurethane foam for excellent support and comfort. The 'Coronado', was the first ever seating to be built using this new technique: the foam molds were assembled around an iron frame, resulting in a sturdy yet extremely comfortable product. The present pair consists of the two seater sofas offered in their original cognac leather upholstery preserved in excellent condition. Labels affixed on both pieces read 'Coronado' designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. Afra and Tobia Scarpa designs were characterized by simplicity and elegance, accompanied with modern and refined aesthetics. During the 1960's, the couple designed the Bastiano sofa and the Vanessa bed...
Leather
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 Seat Rattan Sofa.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa.
Bamboo, Rattan
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Olive Green, 1971, Set of 2
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, olive green velvet, Italy, 1971, set of 2 The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like a l...
Velvet
American Designer, Sofa, Bamboo, Rattan, Fabric, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo, rattan and green fabric sofa, designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Wear to rattan consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Overall Dimension...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Cartouche Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Reupholstered in Raf Simons Kvadrat Vidar fabric
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Four Seat Sofa in the Dunbar style
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
A refined four-seat sofa in beige bouclé upholstery on dark stained base with square legs. In the style of Edward Wormley / Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Unsigned. Reupholstered at a la...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Modern Two-Seat "Confidential" Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Note that this listing is for the 2-seater sofa/loveseat alone (matching 3-seat sofa and lounge chair are available separately). Two-piece "Confidential" Sofa/Loveseat designed in 19...
Metal
Italian Mid Century Wooden Pine Sofa by Mario Ceroli for Poltronova, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and iconic Italian mid century two seater sculptural wooden sofa in Russian pine from the from the " Mobili nella Valle" series produced by Poltronova Italy, 1973. In very good ...
Pine
Sulptural Mid-Century Modern Curved Sectional Sofa by M Fillmore Harty, Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Available right now is this stunning M. Fillmore Harty for Preview, tagged, two piece sectional. A sculpture that happens to be a sofa! It is upholstered in the original Rose colored...
Fabric
Danish Designer, Sofa, Bamboo, Rattan, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and rattan settee or sofa likely designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1950s. Moderate to heavy signs of weathering throughout. Center back wrap loose. Overall Dimensions ...
Bamboo, Rattan
Percival Lafer, MP-01 Sofa, Velvet, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Percival Lafer MP-01 Sofa Velvet, Wood, Iron Brazil, 1960s Offered by RAFA gallery
Iron
Togo Sofa + Lounge Chair - Michel Ducaroy Ligne Roset Leather Mid Century Modern
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Munster, NRW
This Togo living landscape consisting of 3seater sofa, a lounge chair and a ottman was designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1974. Made by Ligne Roset about 1990 in France, stunning beautif...
Leather
$13,930Sale Price|30% Off
Red and Blue Harvey Probber Sofa with Jupe by Jackie Hand Embroidered Fabric
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Harvey Probber
Located in Berlin, DE
Hard to believe, that this art piece is completely hand embroidered by master artisans in India. The superb color combination of sky blue cotton thread on the deep red silk velvet ba...
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” Black Leather, Three-Seater Sofa, Gavina
By Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This exceptional Bastiano sofa, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina in the 1960s (later produced by Knoll), is a true icon of Italian modernist design. The piece is greatly preserved...
Leather, Wood
$6,159Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Modular Leather Sofa In Blush Mid Century Model Petronio, 1970s
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage modular leather sofa in Blush Mid Century Model Petronio, 1970s Discover this beautiful three-piece sofa in blush / pink leather from the famous Italian brand "Poltrona Fra...
Leather
Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 92 wide x 35 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 21 inches All pieces of fur...
Upholstery, Walnut
Guillerme & Chambron Sofa in Teal Upholstery
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron, sofa, oak, fabric, France, 1960s Beautiful two-seat settee by Guillerme & Chambron, in solid oak. The back of the seat has been beautifully finished with woode...
Fabric, Oak
Kazuhide Takahama, 4 Seat or Large 3 seat Suzanne Sofa. Gavina Edition, 1965.
Located in Paris, FR
Rare and elegant large three-seat sofa model "Suzanne" designed by Kazuhide Takahama and manufactured in Italy by Gavina in the 1960s. This important sofa shows an impressive curved...
Chrome, Iron
Harvey Probber American Mid-Century Green Velvet Round Sofa
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century large round sofa with a low curved partial backrest and emerald green velvet upholstery with a button tufted removable seat cush...
Metal, Brass
Vivai del Sud Sofa and Coffee Table in Curved Bamboo and Leather, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Italian Mid-Century organic sofa and matching coffee table, fully made of bamboo, leather, and maple wood. The coffee table is completed with its original smoky bronzed gla...
Bamboo, Rattan, Leather, Fabric, Cotton, Cane, Chestnut
Milo Baughman Ivory Cream Semi-Circular Sectional Sofa for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There can hardly be a more emblematic Mid-Century Modern sofa than the Milo Baughman semi-circular sectional sofa circa 1970s made by Thayer Coggin. The most well known and admired o...
Upholstery
Simone Sofa by Dino Gavina for Studio Simon, 1971
By Dino Gavina
Located in Brussels, BE
Simone Sofa by Dino Gavina for Studio Simon, 1971
Fabric, Wood
“Anfibio” leather sofa bed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti 70s
By Giovannetti, Alessandro Becchi
Located in Padova, IT
Alessandro Becchi (1946–1987) – The Iconic Designer He was an Italian designer whose work helped define the "Radical Design" movement of the 1970s. Most Famous Work: The "Anfibio" So...
Leather