Scandinavian Modern Stools
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
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Number in Set: Single Piece
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Vintage Stool by Arne Hovmand Olsens Denmark, 1950’s
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 39cm W, 25,5cm D, 48,5cm H.
Condition: Good.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Wood
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Seat height 15.25”
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Danish Large Stool Upholstered in 'Casentino' Woollen Fabric, Denmark 1940s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Part of a living room set comprehensive of a two and three seater sofas, this beautiful, stylish and comfortable stool has been designed and manufactured in Denmark in the 1940s.
I...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Norwegian Hand-Crafted Stool Model 522 in Pine by Krogenaes Möbler
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the Norwegian solid pine stool model nr 522.
It comes in a stable, three legged construction with patinated untreated surface. The stool is burn marked “Krogenæs Möbler” on ...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
1930s Stool with stained beech frame reupholstered with brown Niger leather.
Located in København K, 84
This 1930s stool, crafted by a Danish cabinetmaker, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and timeless design principles of early 20th-century Danish furniture.
The frame, construc...
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Beech
Poul Kjærholm PK 33 Stool for E. Kold Christensen, Original Condition, 1959
Located in Amarillo, TX
Poul Kjærholm, original condition.
PK 33 stool.
E. Kold Christensen,
Denmark, 1959.
Matte, chrome-plate spring steel with patinated, laminated wood...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Jørgen Rohweder for Falsteds Møbelstelfabrik Stools in Wood and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jørgen Rohweder for Falsteds Møbelstelfabrik stools, beech, leather, Denmark, 1950s
Crafted in the 1950s by Jørgen Rohweder for Falsteds Møbelstelfabrik, this pair of stools exempli...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Beech
Swedish Stool in Pine by Torsten Claeson, 1930s
Located in Karlstad, SE
A rare stool in pine by Torsten Claeson, Sweden.
This stool was presented in 1939 at the Röhsska Museum as "sports cottage furniture"; a type of furniture that became popular at the...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Danish Patinated Oak Tripod Stool, Denmark, ca 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Functional design is the evident guiding principle of many Scandinavian pieces from the early mid-century, and there is hardly a better example than this oak stool. In earlier days, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
"Braga" Contemporary / Modern Natural Wood and Bronze Stools
Located in Queens, NY
4 Contemporary / Modern "Braga" counter stools with shaped natural finish wooden seats, supported by a metal frame with polished bronze footrests and accents. (PRICED EACH) (Availabl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Roberts Counter Stool with Wood Inlay 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 Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Massif Counter Stool, AV39, Dark Stained Oak by Anderssen & Voll for &Tradition
By &Tradition
Located in Dubai, AE
A graphically striking design with an anchoring sense of stability, Anderssen & Voll’s new Massif bar and counter stools denote a totemic silhouette in a compact form. Rich in materi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine wood stool designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine wood stool designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Sportstuge Stool in Solid Pine Made in Norway by Norsk Husflid, circa 1950s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Three legged pine stole made in Norway by Norsk Husflid, circa 1950s. Made from solid pine with a nicely hand shaped seat. Good vintage condition with patina and wear consistent with...
Category
1950s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Ingvar Hildingsson, Stool, Solid Oak, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A sculptural solid oak stool designed Ingvar Hildingsson, Kalmar Läns Slöjdare IH Slöjd Rugstorp, Sweden, 1960s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
Danish Wooden Tripod Milking Stool, Denmark 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Functional design is the evident guiding principle of many Scandinavian pieces from the early mid-century, and there is hardly a better example than this milking stool. In earlier da...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Wood
Ingvar Hildingsson Stool, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stool, birch. Produced by Ingvar Hildingsson, Sweden. Signed.
Set of 2 available. Excellent condition.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Birch
Vintage stool
Located in Brescia, IT
Retro 1960s pouf with upholstered seat.
This small vintage stool stands out for its retro design and combination of fine materials. The generous padded seat is upholstered in soft cr...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Birch
Stool in Teak and Cane Attributed to Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejnar Larsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool attributed to Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejnar Larsen. Produced in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Cane, Teak
Early PK 33 Stool by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early 'PK-33' stool, with a round black leather cushion on three satin-chromed flat bar legs. Maker's mark on underside.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Chrome
Swedish Designer, Stool, Solid Pine, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Lou Stool: Round Form, Oak Essence
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
The Lou Stool exudes simplicity and sophistication with its clean lines and organic form. Crafted from solid wood, it offers both stability and style, with subtle curves that reflect...
Category
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
Swivel Stool with Patinated Leather, 1940s
Located in Lejre, DK
Swivel chair with adjustable height in patinated leather and stained beech. Designed and made in Denmark 1940s
Category
1940s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Beech
Yellow Stool by Nanna Ditzel, 1969
Located in London, GB
A vibrant yellow fibreglass stool designed by Nanna Ditzel for Domus Danica in 1969, after her move to London in 1968. In every aspect the stool is h...
Category
1960s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Fiberglass
Swedish Midcentury Stool in Mahogany and Beech
Located in Karlstad, SE
Stool or pedestal in mahogany and beech, possibly designed by G-A Berg, Sweden.
Condition: Very good original condition.
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Beech, Mahogany
Woven Seagrass and Painted Wood Stool by Axel Larsson for Gemla, Sweden, 1940s
By Axel Larsson
Located in Karis, Nyland
A stool by Axel Larsson. Made of painted wood with woven seagrass seat. All original.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Seagrass, Wood, Paint
Swedish Designer, Stool, Teak, Shearling, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and shearling stool, produced by a Swedish designer, Sweden, 1950s.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Teak
Madison Hairpin Counter Stool Walnut Black
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 Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Midcentury Stool Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Ottoman reupholstered with sheepskin. Designed by Danish architect Illum Wikkelsø. Great condition.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Sheepskin, Oak
Solid Wood Settee Platform / Stool
Located in Karabağlar/Izmir, TR
The Minimal Handcrafted Solid Cedar Platform/Stool is a refined piece that blends the raw beauty of nature with a modern design approach. Crafted from durable and richly textured ced...
Category
2010s Turkish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Wood, Oak
Contemporary hi-pi Bar Stool, Ebonised Oak, Danish Cord Seat & Brass Foot Rails
Located in Norwich, GB
Our high-pi bar stool at 85cm (33.5") tall has satin brass foot rails and is available in the following finishes: matt clear oak, limed oak, fumed oak or eb...
Category
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Brass
Scandinavian 1960s teak stool - Faux leather seat
Located in Brescia, IT
Small Scandinavian stool from the 1960s, with teak wood frame and black faux leather seat. Minimalist design typical of the era.
Scandinavian-made stool from the 1960s, made with a ...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Teak
Sheepskin Bar Stool with Wood and Steel Frame, Made in Denmark
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Scandinavian modern bar stool upholstered with the finest New Zealand sheepskin. The sheepskin colour is available in cappuccino brown or pearl off-white.
The stools are available...
Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Axel Larsson, set of three stools in stained birch and woven seagrass, 1930s
By Axel Larsson
Located in Påarp, SE
Set of three stools in stained birch and woven seagrass. Designed by Axel Larsson and produced by Svenska Möbelfabriken, Bodafors in the 1930s.
The stools are in good original condi...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Seagrass, Birch
Seto Stool, Black Lacquered Oak /Black Canvas by Keiji Takeuchi for Fredericia
Located in Dubai, AE
The Seto Stool is an elegant design combining proud Scandinavian and Japanese craft traditions.
Inspired by Børge Mogensen's design philosophy, the solid oak and canvas stool exudes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Latvian Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Canvas, Oak
Scandinavian Bar Stool 'Lavitta' 75 by Poiat, Dark Oak
By Poiat
Located in Paris, IDF
Counter stool Lavitta 75 by Poiat
Designers: Timo Mikkonen & Antti Rouhunkoski
Lavitta 2020
Model shown: Dark oak
Dimensions: H. 75 x 50 x 44 cm
The latest member of the L...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
Contemporary pi2 Stool, Ebonised Oak Frame, Natural Danish Cord Seat
Located in Norwich, GB
A variation of our original pi stool, the pi2 stool has all the same trademark features but with elongated proportions. The longer seat is ideal for the end ...
Category
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Papercord, Wood, Oak
Be My Guest Cane Stool by Charlotte Høncke for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
An elegant, Classic stool with a wicker seat and simple metal frame. With its French rattan and oak seat and simple black metal legs, this unique bar stool will look great at any bar. Together with the idiom, the choice of materials creates a warm, sophisticated, floating look and a fundamental lightness. With its classic design and touch of modern lightness and sophistication, the Be My Guest bar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Nano Stool Ottoman
Located in Lisbon, PT
Nano stool gathers inspiration from Scandinavian design made incredibly comfortable with the addition of soft upholstery. The top is upholstered in natural goat leather and the legs ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Beech
Pavilion AV9 Bar Stool in Black Steel/Black Oak by Anderssen&Voll for &Tradition
By &Tradition
Located in Dubai, AE
The Pavilion bar chair has an airy feeling, with fluid curves for the wood veneer seat and back which continue as lyrical lines in the steel tubes of the legs.
The result is a silho...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Latvian Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Contemporary pi Stool, Limed Oak Frame, Black Danish Cord Seat
Located in Norwich, GB
Our iconic pi stool range draws its inspiration from the 20th century modernist idiom, Scandinavian Modern design, Danish furniture, and Japanese aesthetics. ...
Category
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Papercord, Oak
Roberts Counter Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut Brassy Gold
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 Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Dot Stool with Black Leather Designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1971
Located in Lejre, DK
Dot Skammel, designed by the renowned Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in 1971, is a timeless piece of furniture that exudes simplicity and elegance. Produced by the renowned Danish fu...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather
Børge Mogensen "J27" Beech Stool for FDB Møbler, Denmark 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Designed by Børge Mogensen in 1955, the “J27” stool remains a solid and practical piece. With a multitude of purposes, form and function remain at the forefront of this design. Almos...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Beech
Footstool, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
The footrest, produced in the 1960s, was imported from Denmark.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation, the seat has been covered with a new fabric...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Cotton, Walnut
Retro upholstered stool
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage Scandinavian pouf. ...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Metal
Roberts Counter Stool Maple Black
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 Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
1950s Round Danish Stool by Hugo Frandsen
Located in Dallas, TX
A Danish stool by Hugo Frandsen made from rosewood and reupholstered by The Selby House in a Nobilis Wood Boucle. The frame has also been restored and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Wool, Bouclé, Rosewood
Ottoman Mini with White Lamb Fur
Located in Lisbon, PT
Mini stool gathers inspiration from Scandinavian design made incredibly confortable with the addition of soft upholstery. The top is upholstered in natural lamb leather and the legs ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Wood
Walnut, Purple Velvet Modern Essex Bar Stool
Located in New York, NY
The Essex Bar Stool combines the natural elegance of walnut wood with the luxurious softness of velvet upholstery, creating a seating piece that adds both style and comfort to any sp...
Category
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Suede, Wood, Walnut
Original vintage pouf
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian modernist stool. T...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Wood
Gustav Axel Berg Stool Produced by Gustav Axel Berg 'GA Berg' in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool by Gustav Axel Berg. Produced by Gustav Axel Berg (GA Berg) in Sweden.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Birch
Roberts Counter Stool Walnut Black
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 Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Roberts Counter Stool Walnut Yellow
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 Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Stool Produced in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Stool by unknown designer. Produced in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
FRAMA Contemporary Small Stool Solid Oiled Pine AML
By Frama
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The AML Stool is a petite furniture object for everyday interiors. Suitable for use as a side table or bedside stool, the multifunctional stool takes its cue...
Category
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Scandinavian Modern stools for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian 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, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern stools made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original stools, popular names associated with this style include Alvar Aalto, Artek, Ingvar Hildingsson, and Fritz Hansen. 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 $88 and tops out at $52,616 while the average work can sell for $1,856.