Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Stools

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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 legendary 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.

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.

1
357
329
8
to
28
355
295
694
408
496
3,036
694
191
118
117
20
13
13
11
4
4
2
2
2
1
1
1
356
337
254
81
2
2
46
62
61
4
7
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,964
1,297
604
421
473
366
425
358
412
326
405
422
296
262
108
99
395
224
204
116
76
37
29
20
13
12
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Number in Set: Set of 4
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Stools with Silk Upholstery
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Wonderful and fabulous set of 4 matching stools with various colors in silk upholstery. One top has a split and tear at the corner, green colored, see pic. Looks like these were refu...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Silk, Hardwood, Paint

Counter Chair with Soft Light Velvet and Brass footrest Odisseia
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Odisseia counter chair embodies the aesthetic spirit of the space age, a new kind of discreet luxury and comfort inspired by a futuristic era created by new visual experiences and co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

DOOQ Mid-Century Modern Counter Chair Alma with Brown Velvet, Walnut and Brass
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
DOOQ Mid-Century Modern Counter Chair Alma with Brown Velvet, Walnut and Brass In a piece that combines classic and modern aesthetics we can find a certain harmonic gracefulness paired with an intimate voluptuousness that can embrace you and surprisingly break the frontiers of sophistication and elegance, with a rich Cotton Velvet finish. On another note, Alma Counter Chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

Madison Hairpin Counter Stool Walnut Prairie Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Set 6 Classic Mid Century Modern Stools, , Raymond Loewy Boomerang Tops
Located in Buffalo, NY
Set 6 Classic Mid Century Modern Stools,,Retains original Raymond Loewy Boomerang pattern design naugahyde seats ,,Amazing original condition,360% swivel,, 13" diameter,,
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal, Brass

Luc Counter Chair in Black Wood, Polished Brass and Paris Teja
Located in Lisbon, PT
Finishes for this listing: - Black wood frame - Natural Rattan Back - Polished Brass foot rest - Paris Teja Seat Made to Order. For sales with delivery address within European ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Rattan, Wood

20th Century Plum Violet Vintage Stool, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful violet high quality velvet upholstery (color 969). The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric

Set of 4 Decorated Memphis Style Bar Stools New Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of four Mid-Century Modern Memphis style bar stools with newly upholstered seats. Good quality decorative bar stools from from c.1990s.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Wool, Hardwood

Mid-Century Modern Rian Cantilever Barstool, Woven Danish Cord Seat Deck
Located in Issaquah, WA
Rian Cantilever Barstool, please specify height when ordering: 24", 25", 26" H Hardwood and woven danish cord come together in this one of a kind ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Cord, Hardwood

Roberts Bar Stool Maple Rose Copper
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut Mustard
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Orange
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Counter Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Mustard
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Counter Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut Navy
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Madison Bar Stool Maple Navy
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Outdoor Dining Upholstered Bar Stool Powder Coated Stainless Steel Sunbrella
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Inspired by the simplicity of midcentury design, the Fay dining Bar Stool is created using a stainless steel powder coated frame and specialized outdoor foam. The design is minimal a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of Two 20th Century Mini Black Velvet Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful black velvet upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Velvet

Up to Six Charming Zigzag Midcentury Stools, Pouf, Ottoman, Footstool, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to six charming midcentury stools or tabourets from the 1950s. Round shape with four brown wooden legs, reupholstered with a beautiful zigzag Missoni-style fabric. In excellent co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set/4 Midcentury Elm French Stools in the Style of Charlotte Perriand France, 50s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set/4 of four-legged French stools in the style of Charlotte Perriand for the Les Arcs Ski resort and Pierre Chapo France 1950s. These solid elm stools shows an incredible patina and...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Elm

Poul Kjærholm Chair Model Pk91 Stool
Located in Berkeley, CA
The PK91 folding stool designed by Poul Kjærholm epitomizes his ongoing adaption of historical furniture categories into his oeuvre and arsenal of expressions. The designer’s method ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Roberts Counter Stool Maple Blood Red
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Space Copenhagen Spine Stool (Backless)
Located in Berkeley, CA
Space copenhagen spine stool (backless) In 2014, Space Copenhagen built onto the Spine series with the backless barstool Spine Stool. The stool is av...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Roberts Bar Stool Walnut Rose Copper
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool Maple Prairie Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool Walnut Pink
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut Orange
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Gray
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Madison Hairpin Counter Stool Maple White
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Madison Hairpin Counter Stool Maple Blood Red
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Scout Counter Stool in Walnut and Satin Brass by Steven Bukowski
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The scout stool has a slim design, allowing it to be tucked into small spaces with a minimal footprint. Shown in natural walnut and brass. Domestic hardwood species available include white oak...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

Madison Bar Stool Walnut White
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Pair of Two Petrol Blue Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. They was designed by Edmund Homa, a Polish architect, designer of Industrial Design and interior architecture, professor at the Academy of Fine Art...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric

DOOQ Mid-Century Modern Counter Chair Alma with Dark Brown Velvet, Walnut Wood
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
DOOQ Mid-Century Modern Counter Chair Alma with Dark Brown Velvet, Walnut Wood In a piece that combines classic and modern aesthetics we can find a certain harmonic gracefulness paired with an intimate voluptuousness that can embrace you and surprisingly break the frontiers of sophistication and elegance, with a rich Cotton Velvet finish. On another note, Alma Counter Chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

Set of Four "Waterfall" Barstools by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four "Waterfall" barstools in acrylic with leather upholstery. Designed by Charles Hollis Jones and originally made for the Pip's club in Los Angeles, owned by Playboy Magazin...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Leather, Lucite

Thau + Kallio Yksi Barstool
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Thau + Kallio Yksi barstool stands strong yet appears light with its signature Y-shaped legs positioned upside-down. Crafted from solid oak and availab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Pair of 20th Century Navy Blue Wool Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful navy blue high quality wool upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, character...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric

Upholstered Cushioned Stool / Ottoman in Velvet Linen or Leather by Filipe Ramos
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Linha collection was designed from the top to bottom. The first piece of this collection is the planter pedestal. One of the other pieces in this collection is this upholstered s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Navy Blue Wool Vintage Stool, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. The stool consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stool was designed by Ed...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Wood

Woven Leather Backed Bar Stool in Walnut and Tan Leather by Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the Woven Leather Backed Counter stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Leather, Walnut

1969 Eames Herman Miller/Fehlbaum Extremely Rare White Barstools in Green Fabric
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Four extremely rare Eames bar stools...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Black and Copper Metal Bar Stool with Custom Hand-Painted Upholstery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Powder coated metal stool featuring true copper or brass support rod. Made in Los Angeles, California. Stool shown in Black powder coated me...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Copper, Brass, Steel

Thau + Kallio Yksi Barstool
Located in Berkeley, CA
Thau + Kallio Yksi barstool The Yksi stool stands strong yet appears light with its signature Y-shaped legs positioned upside-down. Crafted from solid oak...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

CC Stool in Natural Walnut, solid wood frame and curved seat, H44 cm, D40 cm
Located in Ljubljana, SI
The CC Stool is similar in design and finish to the CC Table and is a perfect match. Ideal for occasional seating, this item is an elaborate take on a wooden ...
Category

2010s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Walnut

Space Copenhagen Spine Bar/Counter Stool 'w/ Back', Metal Base
Located in Berkeley, CA
Space Copenhagen spine bar/counter stool (w/ back), metal base a clean and modern visual language characterizes the Spine collection, and this latest addition of a metal base strengt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Poul Kjærholm Chair Model Pk33 Leather Stool
Located in Berkeley, CA
The three-legged stool PK33 epitomizes Poul Kjærholm’s use of assembly techniques, his exploration of materials and his simplification of structure into a type-form. The stool draws ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Set of Four French High Stools in Solid Elm
Located in London, London
Set of four high stools Made from solid elm Mid to late 20th Century French Seat height 80cm.
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Elm

Space Copenhagen Spine Stool 'Backless', Metal Base
Located in Berkeley, CA
Space Copenhagen spine stool ‘backless’, metal base a clean and modern visual language characterizes the Spine collection, and this latest addition of a metal base strengthens the st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Space Copenhagen Spine Stool (Low) – Metal Base
Located in Berkeley, CA
Space copenhagen spine stool (Low) – Metal Base A clean and modern visual language characterises the Spine collection, and this latest addition of a metal base strengthens the stunni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Scout Counter Stool in Cerused White Oak and Satin Brass by Steven Bukowski
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The scout stool has a slim design, allowing it to be tucked into small spaces with a minimal footprint. Shown in Cerused white oak and satin brass. Domestic hardwood species avail...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Lucite and Chrome Barstools
Located in Miami, FL
Set of four Lucite and chrome barstools. Measures: High seat 28.5".
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Pine Stool Attributed to Charlotte Perriand, France, 1960s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Carved solid pinewood stool design Les Arcs attributed to Charlotte Perriand. Famous design like Pierre Jeanneret, Chandigarh, Le Corbusier, Jean Prouvé. Price by stool, in sale s...
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Wood, Pine

Vintage Set of 4 Swivel Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Interesting set of four vintage stools. Brass trim around the bases which are lined with felt. Vinyl upholstery. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Hans Sandgren Jakobsen Gallery Stool
Located in Berkeley, CA
Hans Sandgren Jakobsen The Gallery stool was a major design breakthrough when it was launched in 1998. With striking simplicity, the properties of moulded plywood are pushed to the m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Set of 4 Silver Steel Polish Finish to Bases Solid Oak Top Counter Stools
Located in Westport, CT
Set of 4 vintage solid steel color, these stools are silver metal bases. Brushed polished finish stools counter stools/ bar stools, with heavy solid oak tops. Stools appear to be ear...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Set of Two Blue Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful blue high quality upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric

Barstool, 31", Cantilever, Black Danish Cord, Walnut, Mid Century, Semigood
Located in Issaquah, WA
This listing is for a 31" H Walnut with Black Danish Cord Rian Cantilever Barstool. Can be made with any domestic or exotic hardwood of your choosi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Cord, Hardwood

Mid-century Modern stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern stools for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage stools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern stools made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original stools, popular names associated with this style include Charlotte Perriand, Lawson-Fenning, Knoll, and Cassina. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $132 and tops out at $133,498 while the average work can sell for $1,746.

Recently Viewed

View All