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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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Audoux Minet Rope Barstools, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Barstools in wrought iron, the stem wrapped in thick natural rope on wooden ball feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Curved Bamboo Stools in Blue Mohair, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of curved Bamboo stools upholstered in mohair.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Mohair, Bamboo

Tomado Style Black Metal Stool with Round Backrest, Italy 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
This sturdy industrial stool in Tomado's style features a round seat covered in blue fabric and a steel wire frame.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Playful Stools, Birch, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Two Footstools, Birch, Sweden, 1960s Two birch stools designed and produced in Sweden in the later half of the 20th century. Each stool has four playfull...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Birch

Olof Ottelin Attribution, Finnish Mid-Century Modern Stool, Pine, Finland, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Olof Ottelin Attribution, Finnish Mid-Century Modern Footstool, Pine, Finland, 1950s Modern pine stool attributed to Olof Ottelin and produced in Finland circa 1950s. Featuring four...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Birch

Lisa Johansson-Pape, Swedish Mid-Century Modern Clover Stool, Pine, Sweden 1970s
Located in Stamford, CT
Lisa Johansson-Pape, Swedish Mid-Century Modern Clover Stool, Pine, Sweden 1970s A pine 'Clover' stool designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape for Stockmann AB in Sweden circa 1970s. Pine ...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Pine

Large Mid-Century ' X ' Stretcher Base Ottoman
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Large Mid-Century ' X ' Stretcher Base Ottoman
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Ottoman by John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant vintage modern foot stool features black lacquered legs. Unique walnut cross beams connect each leg adding sturdiness and style. The sleek black vinyl top is molded for comfo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer

Dietiker Rey Counter Stool with Back, Mid-Century Modern, by Bruno Rey, 1971
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
Referred to as "the most successful piece of Swiss Furniture of all time" by the Swiss Museum of Design in Zurich, the Rey chair is a Swiss design icon since 1971. This is the count...
Category

2010s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Guillerme et Chambron "Thierry" Stools, Circa 1950s
Located in San Antonio, TX
Pair of Guillerme et Chambron "Thierry" stools for Votre Maison, Circa 1950s, France made of solid oak. Dimensions: 19.50" x 12.50" x 16.50" "The soul of Guillerme et Chambron’s wo...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Pair of oak stools by the architect Christian Durupt
Located in Grenoble, FR
Christian Durupt Pair of oak stools from a chalet in Chamonix built by the architect Christian Durupt, collaborator of Charlotte Perriand notably in Meribel les Allues
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Wood Cube Stool Samara by Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso. Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Space Age wood cube stool pouf ottoman or side end low coffee cocktail table, model "Samara" by the dutch designer Derk Jan de Vries for the italian design manufac...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Wood

Marcel Gascoin pair of oak stools
By Casgoin Marcel
Located in Grenoble, FR
Pair of oak stools with 4 legs by Marcel Gascoin. Model from the reconstruction furniture series. Circa 1950 H 42 cm W 38 cm D 36 cm
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Charlotte Perriand, Vintage Berger Stool High, Circa 1950s, France
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Vintage Berger Stool High - Circa 1950s - Provenance private residence Paris, France The Berger high stool by Charlotte Perriand probably executed by Robert Sentou. Sentou was a Fre...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Wood, Oak

Mid-Century Italian Bar Stools, Brass, 1950s
Located in Argelato, BO
Refined pair of midcentury Italian bar stools, brass structure and original fabric. 1950s A pair of organic stools of great executive quality, coming from an important house in the ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

Ida Footstool, in Cast Bronze Details, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Ida Footstool, in Cast Bronze Details, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt The ida footstool, crafted with great attention to details, is part of a luxurious collection set of two uph...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Bronze

Alvar Aalto Stool 60, 80th anniversary Label, Artek Finland.
Located in Turku, FI
Stool 60, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, is one of the icons of Finnish and Scandinavian furniture design. The classic three-legged Aalto stool is still today a beautiful, genius...
Category

2010s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Birch

Set of 3 Charlotte Perriand Style Les Arcs Chrome & Black Leather Bar Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 high bar stools in the style of the Charlotte Perriand Les Arcs stools. These stools have a 37" seat height, tubular chrome frames wit...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Chrome

Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Time Life Stool
Located in Countryside, IL
Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Time Life Stool This stool measures: 13 wide x 13 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vinta...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Kurt Østervig Bar Stools for Brande Møbelindustri
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of teak stools by Danish born designer Kurt Østervig for Brande Mobelindustri, c.1960s, Denmark. The stools feature a round seat and curved seat back. Each stool has four long s...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

20th Century Baby Pink Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful baby pink upholstery. The stool 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

Velvet, Beech

Set of 4 high bamboo stools circa 1960/1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 4 high bamboo stools circa 1960/1970
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Faux Leather, Bamboo

Pair of 2005 Danish Arne Jacobsen Ser. 7 Curved Ash & Steel Dark Grey Bar Stool
Located in London, GB
Pair of Fritz Hansen Series 7 Bar Stools designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1955. Year of manufacture 2005. The seat is made from curved ash with a dark grey lacquered finish with chrome...
Category

Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Handcrafted Rattan Outdoor Bar Stools by Tito Agnoli, Italy 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Handcrafted Rattan Bar Stools by Tito Agnoli, Italy 1960s. This set of Mid-Century Modern rattan bar stools was handcrafted by Tito A...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan

Midcentury Tito Agnoli Rattan and Wicker Round Pouf Stool, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Tito Agnoli round pouf fully made in curved rattan and wicker. This gorgeous French Riviera style pouf was designed by Tito Agnoli and made in Italy during the 1970s. The c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Alvar Aalto Bar Stool Artek K65
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage Alvar Aalto Bar Stool for Artek, model K65 in original finish. Measurements W 13,5’’ x D 14’’ x H 28’’ Seat Height 23,5''
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Birch

Heywood Wakefield “Sculptura” Swivel Pouf Ottoman
Located in Indianapolis, IN
A Sculptura pouf stool or ottoman produced by Heywood Wakefield. This vintage piece is in Heywood Wakefield's "Champagne" finish and features a swivel seat upholstered in a colorful ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Pair of vintage "Flowers" stools.
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Pair of vintage "Flower" stool with brass base and "Tapestry" fabric by Pierre Frey. Italy, 1970s
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Bar Counter Swiveling Stools by Arthur Umanoff
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of 4 Granada bar stools in all original finish and condition. Designed by Arthur Umanoff for The Scott Boyeur Collection in the early 1960s. In...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Iron

Brazilian Midcentury Foldable Rosewood Stool, c. 1960
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Folding stool very well manufactured in Brazilian rosewood. Savonarola style with a Brazilian modern touch.
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Rosewood

Stool, Cantilever, Danish Cord, Mid Century-Style, Walnut, Weave, Semigood
Located in Issaquah, WA
Mid Century inspired Rian Cantilever Stool made out of walnut hardwood and danish cord. Custom sizes available. Can be made with any domestic or exotic hardwood of your choosing. Dan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Cord, Hardwood

Expertly Restored - Henry Rosengren Hansen Teak & Leather Bar Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Leather, Teak

Vintage Beech Bentwood Stool by Thonet Industries with Label
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage beech bentwood stool by Thonet Industries with original label, circa 1940s. The stool is in good vaintage condition showing appropriate wear and patina. It measures 14.5"...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Bentwood, Beech

Expertly Restored - Danish Modern Teak & Black Leather Bar Stools by Erik Buch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Teak

Interlocking folding stool
Located in Venice, CA
Unique interlocking wood folding stool featuring a beautiful interlocking seat and solid wood frame. USA, mid 20th century
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Hardwood

Part of Mid-Century Wood High Stools by Werner Biermann for Arte Sano
Located in London, London
Pair of high stools By Werner Biermann For Arte Sano White walnut frame Leather seats Colombia 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century Colombian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pair of Tripod Curved Stools in Solid Elm Wood by Aranjou, France, 1960's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of tripod stools in solid Elm Wood with lovely curved sides and seat, France, 1960's. manufactured by Aranjou, France, c. 1960s.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Elm

Black Metal Swivel Stool with White Boucle Seat, France 1970s (2 Available)
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern black tulip base swivel stools with newly upholstered seats in white boucle fabric. The pedestal bases are generously proportioned and feature silver detailing alo...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Vintage Coastal Italian Ceramic Pelican Low Stool
Located in west palm beach, FL
Bring a coastal vibe to your home with these vintage Italian ceramic pelican low stools. Combining Italian craftsmanship with American coastal style, these stools offer both function...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Ceramic

Charlotte Perriand for "Les Arc" Original Leather Barstool, 1960
Located in The Hague, NL
Bar stool selected by Charlotte Perriand for the furnishing of the chalets in the luxury “Les Arcs” ski resort in France. Charlotte Perriand was a French architect and designer. Her...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Chrome

Charlotte Perriand, Stool Méribel, Circa 1960, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Hasselt, VLI
The Méribel Stool is a part of Charlotte Perriand's design legacy, associated with her work on the Hôtel le Doron in Méribel during the 1950s. As part of the interior design of this ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Wood, Straw

Tabouret Berger (Berger Stool) by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Centreville, VA
Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life, led to the creation of two historic design low table-stools inspired respectively by the ...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Brutalist Spanish Marbella Bar Stool, 1970s
Located in GNIEZNO, 30
"Marbella" bar stool manufactured by Confonorm in Spain in the 70s. The legs are reinforced with a steel rim. Extremely effective and phenomenal form. The wood elements have been cl...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Börje Johanson Set of Three Barstools in Black Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Börje Johanson for Johanson Design, set of three barstools as part of 'Johanson Jupiter Collection', metal, leatherette, Sweden, 1970s. Highly comfortable high barstools in black le...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Ole Wanscher Rosewood and Goatskin "Egyptian" Stools for AJ Iversen, 1957
Located in Coronado, CA
A seldom seen pair of original rosewood "Egyptian" folding stools designed by Ole Wanscher for AJ Iversen in Denmark in 1957. Beautifully sculpted, solid rosewood frames with goatski...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Goatskin, Rosewood

Pair Erwine & Estelle Laverne Champagne Stools
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Erwine & Estelle Laverne Champagne Stools, Clear acrylic shells with faux sheepskin upholstered seats on chromed steel swivel bases by Erwine and Estelle Laverne. There is a cas...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Lucite

Tony Paul Attributed Woven Rattan Tripod Stools with Tapered Solid Wood Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These beautiful Mid-Century stools are attributed to the American designer Tony Paul and were made in the former Yugoslavia in the 1950s, early 1960's. They have three attractively t...
Category

1960s Macedonian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Rattan, Oak

Mid Century Modern White Wicker Bar Stools
Located in Freehold, NJ
This pair of mid century modern bar stools in the style of Arthur Umanoff feature white painted wicker construction with swivel seat atop a black painted metal base. Dimensions: 17....
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Vintage Kitchen stools beech and vinyl, Set of 2 , 60s
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
Pair of solid wooden kitchen stool, with leather effect / vinyl tops. A pair of classic beech frame stools. Made in their millions in the 1960s, good survivors after 60 years of ser...
Category

Mid-20th Century Romanian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Faux Leather, Beech

Swedish Functionalist Style Limewashed Pine Milking Stool
Located in Surbiton, GB
Chunky lime-washed pine Swedish milking stool. Very Ingvar Hildingsson in style.      A black stained stool is also available.
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Pine

Tabouret Berger (Berger Stool) by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Centreville, VA
Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life, led to the creation of two historic design low table-stools inspired respectively by the ...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Black Swedish Functionalist Style Pine Milking Stool
Located in Surbiton, GB
Chunky pine Swedish milking stool. Very Ingvar Hildingsson in style.     
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Pine

1960s Beech Restored Stool, Czechaolsovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Beech

1940s Danish Mahogany Leather Stool
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Mid Century Modern Set 4 Swiveling Counter Height Bar Stools by Arthur Umanoff
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pairs of bar/ counter stools by Arthur Umanoff for the Boyeur Scott furniture Co. C1960. Sold as pairs for you're convenience as you can buy all 4 also. Construction is an ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Iron

Mid century stool by ÚLUV, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This stool was made in the former Czechoslovakia by ÚLUV company in the 1960´s. Very simple and elegant design. It´s made of beechwood. In good preserved condition, showing signs ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Wood, Beech

*PREVIEW* Italian Designer, Stools, Rattan, Bamboo, Italy, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rattan and bamboo stools designed and produced in Italy, 1960s. Seat height: 14.5”
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

1960s Beech Leather Stool, Denmark
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Leather, Beech

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.

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