Skip to main content

Modern Stools

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

2,914
11
8
to
306
1,497
1,157
2,933
153
832
2,933
421
151
110
98
19
11
10
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
9
2,922
5
1
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3,410
3,070
2,786
3,019
2,689
2,935
2,641
2,695
2,851
2,625
2,985
1,667
1,185
1,124
530
476
2,005
725
666
645
561
211
162
114
114
105
Style: Modern
Number in Set: Set of 8
Opinion Ciatti Mammamia High Barstool
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia high barstool with die-cast aluminum shell, steel structure and rubber-covered footrest. Lacquered, not for outdoor use. Non stackable. Availab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

2010s Babar Upholstered Bar Stool by Simon Pengelly for Arper 10+ Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single Babar bar stool, designed by Simon Pengelly for Arper in 2006 (multiple stools are available, though the price listed is for each stool). This sculptural stool featu...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

2012 Martin Visser for Spectrum SB07 Counter Height Stool in Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (the price listed is for each stool, though multiples stools are available) SB07 counter stool, designed by Martin Visser and produced by Spectrum in The ...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Stools

Materials

Stainless Steel

ST66 Glazed Stoneware Stool by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Functional and decorative stoneware object, crafted by pinching and coiling. The ceramic surface is applied either with a brush or by pouring. Each piece of this collection is un...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Stools

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Emeco 1 Inch All Aluminum Counter Stool by Jasper Morrison, 1stdibs Exclusive
Located in Hanover, PA
For the 1 inch collection, Jasper Morrison tapped into Emeco’s heritage in hand crafting recycled aluminum, and leveraged its signature strength, light weight, and sustainability. Em...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Aluminum

GLOOH Bar Stool in Black Leather by KFF
By KFF
Located in New York, NY
One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an extensive range and comfor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

GLOOH Tall Bar Stool with Cantilever in Black Leather by KFF
By KFF
Located in New York, NY
One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an extensive range and comfort to offer, conveys an unmistakable design. Small wonder that GLOOH has been distinguished with an international award on a number of occasions. Height adjustable swivel bar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool with Cantilever by KFF
By KFF
Located in New York, NY
One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an extensive range and comfort to offer, conveys an unmistakable design. Small wonder that GLOOH has been distinguished with an international award on a number of occasions. Height adjustable swivel bar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool by KFF
By KFF
Located in New York, NY
One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an extensive range and comfort to offer, conveys an unmistakable design. Small wonder that GLOOH has been distinguished with an international award on a number of occasions. Height adjustable swivel bar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

Phase Design, "Kickstand Counter Stool"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Important to note that this listing is for the Kickstand Counter Stool in a Flat Black Powder Coat Finish. Pricing is COM and this listing does...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stools

Materials

Brass, Steel

Set of 2 Kartell One More Please Counter Stools in Crystal by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If you want to sip a drink at the bar in peace and quiet, you need a comfortable tall stool with a back to lean against. Sometimes one drink is not ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Attila Table-Stool in Gold by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Attila table-stool, is a charismatic personality of striking originality and anti-conformism. Stools and tables which are cute and humorous but with one eye on functionality, thought...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Small Stools in Crystal by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the Classic high stool. Charles Ghost is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Crystal

Kartell Masters Bar Stool in Grey by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell also offers a stool version of the Masters chair, winner of the Good Design Award 2010 and the Red Dot Award 2013, and a worldwide best seller. The legs are lengthened and the seat is shrunk, but the frame's unmistakable graphic look, created by the weave of the silhouettes of three iconic chairs, remains the same. Masters Stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Stone Stool in Smoke by Marcel Wanders
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stone is a stool with a simple shape but with a very precious appearance. Made with an essential symmetrical linear shape which is reminiscent of an hourglass, its surface is simply ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Medium Stools in Crystal by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Crystal

Kartell Masters Bar Stool in Black by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell also offers a stool version of the Masters chair, winner of the Good Design Award 2010 and the Red Dot Award 2013, and a worldwide best seller. The legs are lengthened and the seat is shrunk, but the frame's unmistakable graphic look, created by the weave of the silhouettes of three iconic chairs, remains the same. Masters Stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Plastic

DGD Backless Bar Stool, Upholstery in Felt, Bouclé or COM, Made in USA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DGD bar stool finds formality and comfort in the Industrial and organic. Powder coated steel frame shown in black and available in any standard RAL ...
Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Emeco Broom Barstool in Orange by Philippe Starck
Located in Hanover, PA
Philippe Starck and Emeco came together to create a new chair that is reclaimed, repurposed, recyclable – and designed to last. The chair is made from 75% waste polypropylene and 15%...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Aluminum

Hand Tailored Fringes Stool Offered in Velvet
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
The handmade stool draws on the signature fashion theme, ruffling the scene and inviting guests with its fun and flirtatious feel. Featuring three layer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Stools

Materials

Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming

'SN3' Wood and Metal Table in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
'SN3' wood and metal table in the manner of Pierre Chareau. Handcrafted in the Los Angeles and French workshops of noted French designer and antiques dealer Denis de le Mesiere...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Modern Rustic Counter Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
with an upholstered cushion seat covered in performance fabric, on splayed tapering legs joined by a stretcher in a slightly distressed warm color finish. Dimensions: 17.75" W x 17....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Stools

Materials

Wood

Hayche WW Bar Stool - Black, UK, Made To Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Based on a modern Windsor design, the WW bar stool, where the first 'W' stands for Windsor and the second for Wire is an iconic piece of furniture. Produced from solid oak with the u...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Modern Mary Swivel Bar Stools, Nubuck Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Swivel Bar Stool, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary bar stool transcen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Stools

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Plopp Mini Stool in Strawberry Red Steel by Zieta
Located in New York, NY
Plopp stool is an icon and a bestseller of Zieta Prozessdesign. The unique, toy-looking and playful shape of Plopp is an effect of an innovative forming method FIDU. FIDU technology ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Polish Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Plopp Standard Stool in Polished Stainless Steel by Zieta
Located in New York, NY
Plopp stool is an icon and a bestseller of Zieta Prozessdesign. The unique, toy-looking and playful shape of Plopp is an effect of an innovative forming method FIDU. FIDU technology ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Polish Modern Stools

Materials

Stainless Steel

Plopp Bar Stool in Industrial Steel by Zieta
Located in New York, NY
Plopp stool is an icon and a bestseller of Zieta Prozessdesign. The unique, toy-looking and playful shape of Plopp is an effect of an innovative forming method FIDU. FIDU technology ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Polish Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Plopp Bar Stool in Graphite Steel by Zieta
Located in New York, NY
Plopp stool is an icon and a bestseller of Zieta Prozessdesign. The unique, toy-looking and playful shape of Plopp is an effect of an innovative forming method FIDU. FIDU technology ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Polish Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

2013 Nendo High Ribbon Bar Stool in Red Lacquered Steel for Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Nendo High Ribbon Stool, designed by Nendo for Cappellini. Nendo is the name of a collective of professionals, under the guidance of architect Oki Sato. Each stool is const...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Gueridon handcrafted made to order Ottoman-Bench, COM fabric - Made in USA.
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade ottoman benches are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a ful...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Hayche Loom Bar Stool - Black, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
The Loom Bar Stool was inspired by the traditional wooden looms of Oaxaca in Mexico. The frame is made of solid oak and the cord is made of polypropylene. The bar stools are sanded a...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Stools

Materials

Cord, Oak, Wood

Hayche Loom Bar Stool - Oak & Black, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
The Loom Bar Stool was inspired by the traditional wooden looms of Oaxaca in Mexico. The frame is made of solid oak and the cord is made of polypropylene. The bar stools are sanded a...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Stools

Materials

Cord, Wood, Oak

"Bar Stud" Studded Black Leather and Steel Base Low Stool by Moroso for Diesel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Bar Stud" is a stool, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, featuring a wooden seat with fire retardant polyurethane foam only covered by black leather with b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

"Caballito Petit" Stool Designed by Nestor Perkal for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Caballito Petit" is a stool, designed by Nestor Perkal and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, featuring a structure in bronze colored steel mesh with high-integrity thermoset epoxy pow...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

"Mingx" Indoor Steel High Stool with Back by Konstantin Grcic for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Mingx" is an indoor high stool with back, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade. Structure in printed steel sheet and rod with polyester painted in orange, light g...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

"Meridiana" Polycarbonate and Steel Swivel High Stool by C. Pillet for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Meridiana" is an iconic swivel high stool, designed by Christophe Pillet and manufactured by Driade, with chromed or matte black painted steel struc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

"Mingx" Outdoor Steel High or Low Stool with Back by Konstantin Grcic for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Mingx" is an outdoor high or low stool with back. Structure in printed steel sheet and rod with protective cataphoresis treatment polyester painted in orange, light gray, bronze and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Dish Solid Wood Contemporary Sculptural Carved Side Coffee Stool Table Natural
Located in Bainbridge Island, WA
Taking inspiration from hand-carved African stools, a scooped out tabletop is created with a little help from technology. A CNC router is used to cut away the wood bowl leaving behin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Ash

"Torquemada" Carved Brushed Oak or Lacquered Beech Stool by P. Starck for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Torquemada" is a stool, designed by Philippe Starck and manufactured by Driade, with a structure available in the following versions: brushed oak, brushed oak with carved backrest and seat or in matt lacquered textured beech in white, gray, yellow, lavender gray, or carnation colors. Backrest element support is in polished or mirror finished cast aluminum. Indoor use only. DIMENSIONS: D. 18.8", W. 16.1", H. 40.5", Seat H. 28.7" Although these pieces of design seem apparently imperfect and unique, the collection is composed of a table and a set of seats: a chair, an armchair and a stool. The latter feature two handcuffs in mirror-polished stainless steel, a detail that is as structural as well as decorative and ironically reminiscent of the imagery coming from the ancient Inquisition and its infamous and fearsome prosecutor. A link that regards the concept as well as the project and explains where the name of this collection comes from. Each piece is also available in a more precious version, in gouged oak...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Aluminum

Custom made Gueridon Bench, COM Upholstery, Made in USA.
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade ottoman benches are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a ful...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of custom made Gueridon Ottomans, COM fabric, Made in USA.
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade ottomans are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a full line of fully customizable ottomans, stools, benches, and day beds. All designs share the same 4 L shaped legs, signature of the Gueridon line. We offer a wide range of customizations. Here is the idea. Only you know what’s best to match your interior. Therefore, you provide us with your fabric (COM). Size, upholstery, wood staining? Your choice: we offer a wide range of options. From the same original base with 4 thick L shaped legs, we can also build a stool, a bench, or a day bed. HOW IT WORKS...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Stoolen Side Table in Black Oak 16"
Located in Denver, PA
A beloved Uhuru piece, the Stoolen is crafted from black oak offcuts that are carefully hand-fitted into a unique pattern. The Stoolen works well as an end table, stool, or coffee ta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Hono Stool, White Washed
Located in Denver, PA
This Hono stool is a white washed version of our original charred Hono. These Hono stools are meticulously hand-finished, brushed with a finish to reveal it...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Pine

Stoolen Side Table in Heart Pine 16"
Located in Denver, PA
A beloved Uhuru piece, the Stoolen is crafted from antique heart pine offcuts that are carefully hand-fitted into a unique pattern. This limited edi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Pine

Craftassociates Counter Height Stool, Modern Counter Height Stool, Metal, Leathe
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Counter Height Stool, Modern counter height stool, metal, leather These metal counter height stools in Leather for Craft Assoc...
Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Iron

Gueridon handcrafted made to order Ottoman, COM fabric
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade ottomans are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a full line ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Arc de Stool '52
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Arc de Stool'52 in Black Varished Chestnut Designed by Project 213A in 2022 The taller version of the stool's legs curves inwards towards its triangular...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Stools

Materials

Walnut

ST60 Glazed Stoneware Stool by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Functional and decorative stoneware object, crafted by pinching and coiling. The ceramic surface is applied either with a brush or by pouring. Each piece of this collection is un...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Stools

Materials

Stoneware, Ceramic

Lonian Twist - Modern Outdoor Green Stool with Metallic Details
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Lonian Twist - Outdoor stool Greek architecture is known for its structures and that’s the main inspiration for Lonian. An outdoor stool that's uniqu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Stools

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel

Clover Solid Cork Contemporary Sculptural Carved Side Drinks Table Mix
Located in Bainbridge Island, WA
A realization of meticulous research, this piece is part of a collection that highlights the formal longevity and environmental sustainability of Mediterranean cork. Monolithic and inviting, it is cut from the cylindrical forms that are standard in the cork production process. These standards become the basic formal components for the collection with efficient shaping leaving minimal waste. Cork bark is hand harvested from cork oak trees that can live for up to 200 years and require no chemical inputs. This makes it a rapidly renewable material and a powerful carbon sink. Cork’s inherent qualities include being hypoallergenic, moisture and fire resistant, sound and heat insulating as well as soft and resilient to touch. Built in the Pacific Northwest from solid Portuguese cork...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Cork

Custom made Gueridon Ottoman, COM Upholstery, Made in USA.
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade ottomans are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a full line ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Foot Bench in Walnut
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
This playful design is part of Project 213A's hand carved wooden "foot series"; inspired by a classic milking stool, this bench comes with three foot shaped legs and one uneven leg. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Stools

Materials

Walnut, Chestnut, Oak

Gueridon handcrafted made to order Ottoman, COM fabric
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade ottomans are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a full line ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Gervasoni Brise 23 Dining Chair by Federica Biase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The freedom of composing the space around an outdoor table inspires the offer for outdoor seating Brise. The collection of chairs is made of stainless steel tubes with seating and ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Barstool with Seaming Details on the Back
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
The front of this barstool is composed as a verse, with a smooth seat, backrest and legs. The scene is set for the explosion of the chorus, bursting from its quilted back, infused wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Stools

Materials

Velvet, Wood

James Side Table in Ceramic and White or Ebonized Oak by Danny Kaplan Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The base of the James side table is constructed by stacking slab-built ceramic bricks. While they're angular in nature, the bricks retain the softness and organic feel of the clay. A solid oak table top sits inside a notch, allowing the two materials to become one piece. The ceramic legs...
Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Ceramic, Oak

Foot Stool in Oak
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
This playful design is inspired by a classic milking stool, and has a fun twist with three individually shaped legs. The stool is hand carved by artisans in northern Portugal from ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Déjà Vu Stool in White Fabric and Matte Black Metal
Located in Milano, IT
Déjà Vu stool is composed of a wooden shell padded with different densities polyurethane foam and finished with an upper layer of acrylic fiber. The Déjà Vu stool is available in tw...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Modern stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern stools for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original stools, popular names associated with this style include Jover + Valls, Emeco, Jasper Morrison, and Kartell. 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.

Recently Viewed

View All