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Modern Seating

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

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Style: Modern
INVICTA dining chair with contrast piping
Located in Frazão, Porto
The INVICTA dining chair is a unique piece, and the impressive design with just one leg in the back, in solid wood, will make the dining room a so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Lacquer

Milo Baughman style Parson Dining Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Set of eight Milo Baughman style Parsons armchairs in the original green Micro fiber upholstery on bronze finish casters.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set of four 'String' dining chairs by Niels Jørgen Haugesen for Tranekaer
Located in Ranst, VAN
Set of four 'String' dining chairs designed by Niels Jørgen Haugesen for Tranekaer Furniture, Denmark 1990s. The chairs have a wooden frame and are reupholstered with a cream beige f...
Category

1990s Danish Modern Seating

Materials

Cord, Wood

Armchair in Cognac Leather and Burnished Brass-Plated Laser-Cut Steel Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bulging over its edges, this contemporary single sofa seat by Klein Agency screams comfort. Puffy cushions hug the laser cut steel frame, crea...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Cut Steel

'Set of 2' Nana Wooden Dining Chair with Back Detail, No:1, Small
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
"Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'." The elegant pie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Foam, Walnut

Peacock Iron Patio Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Peacock Patio chairs in the style of Salterini with satin black powder coating.
Category

20th Century Mexican Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Iron

Vintage Japanese Boro & Blackened Steel Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Chair by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, and supportive belts. The deep seating area is perfect for a relaxing lounge experience. Every Stephen Kenn piece is made to order through our Los Angeles studio in partnership with a number of small businesses and fabricators in the LA area. With this highly customizable chair, you can select from a wide range of finishes and materials to complement your space and lifestyle - please message us to see our Customization Guide with all available options. This version of our Inheritance Chair is upholstered in boro material - vintage Japanese family quilts made from scraps of clothing, kimonos, and other household textiles. We source these 100-200 year old quilts...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

CraftAssociates Dining Chairs, Lawrence Peabody Walnut Dining Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Dining Chairs, Lawrence Peabody Walnut Dining Chair These Lawrence Peabody Dining Arm Chairs in walnut for Craft Associates Furniture are expertly hand crafted and u...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Walnut

De Sede DS-600 “Non-stop” Modular Sofa in Blue with Adjustable Elements
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Launched in 1972, DS-600 is an indestructible, variable modular system of upholstered furniture consisting of individual, addable armchair elements. These consist of an L-shaped hard...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Travertine Arm Chairs Attb to Stéphane Parmentier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of armchairs designed and manufactured in France. Made in solid travertine, beautiful architectural lines and upholstered in an off white fabric. The chairs are att...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating

Materials

Travertine

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection.  An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Seating

Materials

Linen

Pair 1980's Modern Royal Lounge Co. Lounge Chairs
By Royal Lounge Company
Located in West Chester, PA
Pair of designer lounge chairs manufactured by Royal Lounge Co. of West Haven, Connecticut featuring curved sides and down pillow backs circa 1985. In need of reupholstering.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery

Super-plush Oversized Organic Modern Armchair in Kvadrat Vanir
Located in Nyack, NY
This chair's deep, ultra-plush cushions invite you to sink in, while the soft, organic curves and gently arched back add an elegant touch to any space. Crafted with the highest quali...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric

Large Scalloped Sofa in Pink Velvet, Customizable
Located in Greenwich, CT
Scalloped sofa with striking form. Sits deep with ample single seats that can be customized. Shown in performance pink velvet and hemp brush fringe, stan...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet

Indoor - Outdoor Organic Shaped Lakkar Wood Chaise / Daybed by CEU Studio
Located in New York, NY
Represented by Tuleste Factory Lakkar Chaise by CEU Organic shaped slabs of wood are carefully assembled into a seemingly primitive day bed. Perfec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

Moooi Amami Small Pouf in Blue Velvet Seat and Steel Legs, Lorenza Bozzoli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Amami poufs are simply irresistable and available in three sizes. Dressed in heart-warming velvet, softly floating on long sensuous fringes that decorat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

Lounge, Side or Accent High Back Chair OFICIAL, Solid Wood and Danish Paper Cord
Located in Mexico City, MX
Partially informed by late Ming period "yokeback" chairs, and heavily influenced by Windsor-style decorative furniture, OFICIAL is a narrative, expressive high-back chair. It is a ti...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

Limes New Sofa in Avant Après Upholstery and Armrest with Roll by Sergio Bicego
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Limes New is a sofa that upholds Saba’s philosophical approach to a larger furnishing project: “Everything slides, everything changes” elaborates Parmenide, who ignited the creative ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of armchairs "Catherine" in oak Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of oak and fabric armchairs model "Catherine Edition Votre Maison circa 1960
Category

20th Century French Modern Seating

Materials

Oak

Organic Modern Fibonacci Spiral Sofa, Beige Velvet, Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Fibonacci sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Fibonacci combines fine craftsmanship and noble materials, becoming a Greenapple best-seller...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Slab Coffee Table by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Slab Coffee Table by Imperfettolab 2011 Dimensions: 106 x 78 x H 34 Materials: Fibreglass Available in black and white. Seat/Coffee table in fibreglass. Imperfetto Lab Who we are? ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Espaldar Sofa by Juliana Lima Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto on Wooden Base
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Espaldar sofa was inspired by the feminine and futuristic but elegant curves of the 1960s, with upholstered fabric body and wooden base. Measurements: 220cm x 120cm x 72cm H. / ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Italian Modern LC4 chaise lounge, Le Corbusier Jeanneret Perriand, Cassina 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather and metal LC4 chaise longue by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Perriand for Cassina, 1970s. LC4 armchair or chaise longue, with black metal structure to sup...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

Italian modern orange fabric opening sofa bed, Anfibio style, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern orange fabric opening sofa bed, Anfibio style, 1980s. Sofa bed without a basic structure but only composed of a folding backrest included in the armrest part, which, o...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Cotton

Midcentury Modern Style Sofa In Velvet And Walnut Base
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Sinuous curves and undulating lines define this piece. With its precisely crafted angles and generously deep seat, it offers unparalleled comfort. A fusion of Streamline-Moderne aest...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Papillonne Swivel Wheeled White Office Chair
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Standing out in every field with its eye-catching modern design approach and material variety, the Papillonne series brings a brand new face to spaces with its minimal appearance. While the Papillonne chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Pouf Pill S Contemporary Sculptural Pouf with Velvet and Fringes by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf Pill S Contemporary Sculptural Pouf with Velvet and Fringes by Houtique Dimensions: H 45 x D 35 cm Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes Pill P...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet

Vintage R Jones Furniture Custom Contemporary Bench On Plinth
Located in Clermont, FL
A vintage RJones furniture tufted bench. Seat and back cushions constructed of foam core with a 25/75 down encased wrap - firm sit.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Spy 664 Beige Chaise Longue by Emilio Nanni
Located in Milan, IT
Nothing invites more to enjoy moments of pure relaxation than a refined, plush chaise longue. Perfect as an addition to luxe, residential decors, this exquisite design features a solid beech frame tinted in a vibrant curry hue sustaining the generously padded resting area...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Textile, Beech

Contemporary Dining Chair In Sled Base Offered In Leather
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This chair is crafted from steel and leather of very high resistance and quality: high-end materials guarantee the necessary flexibility while meeting high production requirements. ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Style Dining Chair in Beige Leather by Costantini, Gianni, In Stock
Located in New York, NY
Gianni Art Deco Style Dining Chair in Beige Leather by Costantini See it in person at our London pop up in the Pavoni leather showroom in the Chelsea Design Centre through June of 2...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Gold Stainless Steel Outdoor Swing Sofa with Beige Waterproof Fabric
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Fable Outdoor Hanging Sofa Designed to be enjoyed in good company, this 21st century contemporary outdoor hanging sofa keeps the bea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

One Seat, Lounge Chair by Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
One seat is a lounge chair made in solid ashwood by bending wood. Three of the legs have been made using the wood-bending technique to adopt an abstract nat...
Category

2010s Modern Seating

Materials

Bentwood

Modern Bar Chair Gropius CS2/75 in Wool Fabric with Wooden Legs by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and concise...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Custom Made Limited Edition Ottomans or Benches With Off White Boucle Upholstery
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of fabulous custom made limited edition modern benches or ottomans are coined the Cloud Series. They have never been used and are upholstered in a thick large off white fin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Salvador Dali, Contemporary, Red Dali Lips Sofa for BD
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Dalilips designed by Salvador Dali for BD design. Two-seat sofa made of polyethylene with rotational moulding process. Color red. Measures: 100 x 170 x 73 H cm. Is the famous sofa in the shape of a mouth which the artist created together with Oscar Tusquets in 1972 for the Mae West room at the Dalí Museum...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Plastic

Tobo Armchair - Collector by Alter Ego
By Alterego
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Underpinned by a minimalist and sophistication aesthetic of clean lines. DIMENSIONS W 70 cm 27,6” D 75 cm 29,5” H 75 cm 29,5” SH 40 cm 15,7” PRODUCT FEATURES Structure in So...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Oak

Unique Bar Stool T-008 by Studio Nicolas Erauw
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique bar stool T-008 -by Studio Nicolas Erauw Piece unique 1 of 1 Dimensions: H 70 CM x Ø 35 CM Materials: Aluminum, wax dipped 13 kg Part of the o...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Gervasoni Armchair Saia 09 by David Lopez Quincoces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With balanced lines, the Saia upholstered collection is created from a classic ideal reinterpreted in a contemporary key. The name, meaning "skirt" in Portuguese, illustrates its dis...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery

2 Contemporary Overstuffed Cotton Upholstered Rolled Arm Lounge Sofa Couch 90"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage pair of two contemporary / modern lounge sofas featuring plush overstuffed rolled arm design with off white cotton fabric, skirted base and lumbar pillows. Attributed to Tay...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Moroso FJORD Armchair by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
From a piece of seashell, which has been broken and smoothed by the waves, Patricia Urquiola has designed a collection of seats for both the home and public spaces. As the name sugge...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Bentwood Dining Chair with Cognac Leather Seats, Italy 1980s - 4 Available
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage Italian dining chair featuring a stately bentwood frame with a dramatically arched seat back and rectangular block legs. The stained wood frame contrasts beautifully with t...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

B&B Italia Michel Club Modular Sofa by Antonio Citterio
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the epitome of luxury and comfort - the Michel Club Modular Sofa by B&B Italia. Crafted with the finest materials and designed with the utmost attention to detail, this s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

SURGE SOFA - Modern Sofa in Black Faux Lambskin
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
SURGE SOFA - Modern Sofa in Black Faux Lambskin The Surge Sofa in black faux lambskin is a luxurious and stylish piece of furniture that is perfect for any modern living room. This ...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery

Leather Sofa by Minotti
Located in Austin, TX
Sofa, Italian, with “millefiori” leather on a nickel base. It is in brand new condition.
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Nickel

René Herbst Set of Six 'Sandows' Dining Chairs in Steel and Cord
Located in Waalwijk, NL
René Herbst, set of six 'Sandows' chairs, model '101', chrome-plated steel, elastic rope, France, design 1928, produced, 1970s. The 'Sandows' chair epitomizes the industrial advance...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Italian modern black leather lounge chair 670 671 by Eames for ICF, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather lounge chair 670 671 by Eames for ICF, 1970s Armchair and pouf or chaise longue mod. 607 and 671 with black painted wooden body. The armchair is composed...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

KUUMO armchair by MW Designer Furniture with foam and 3D fabric
Located in Beaumont-Louestault, FR
The KUUMO armchair embodies a sculptural vision of contemporary furniture, combining bold design and absolute comfort. Designed by Olivier Santini, a Paris Design Awards and DNA Desi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

21st Century, Modern, Maçka Bench, Coated Metal Structure & Upholstery
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Maçka, defined by its juxtaposed simple geometrical forms, is a seating collection consisting of dining & corner chairs, bar stool and love & lounge benches. The designs elegantly re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection.  A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Ha...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Seating

Materials

Linen

e15 Backenzahn Side Table by Philipp Mainzer
Located in New York, NY
The original Backenzahn designed in 1996 by e15 founder and architect Philipp Mainzer is a modern design classic as well as an identifiable icon for e15. Crafted in Germany, the stoo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

Gervasoni Inout 47 Side Table/Ottoman in Anthracite Grey Ceramic by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Family of coffee tables-poufs in white or anthracite grey ceramic, Inout 47/48/49 stand out for their minimalism: available in different heights, they have an asymmetrical totem stru...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Ceramic

Contemporary Black Stool in Iroko Wood, Senufo by Arno Declercq
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Black Stool in Iroko Wood, Senufo by Arno Declercq Material: Iroko Wood and Burned Steel Dimensions: Dimensions: 50 cm H x 30 cm W Made by hand, in Belgium. Arno Decl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

"Panoramic" sofa by Studio Glustin
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
"Panoramic Colisée" sofa upholstered with a bouclette fabric. Matching armchair available. Creation by Studio Glustin
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Tusk Sling Chair by Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, CA
Tusk sling dining chair by Möbius Objects - hand-sculpted here in solid Honduran Mahogany. Raked legs offer a unique 'wind-swept' silhouette. The veg-t...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood, Walnut

Pillar Bar Stool 3 Legged Wood and Lacquered, Red
Located in Istanbul, 34
The Pillar bar stool is a product with a unique design that stands out with its distinctive metal fusion detail. While it attracts attention with its solid and strong structure, it c...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Loos Cafe Museum Chair in Dark Walnut
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A refined and timeless object. Elegance, shape lightness and everyday life. Adolf Loos’s famous chair has today been revived thanks to new production techniques that successfully leave its artisan quality unaltered. Inspired by Thonet catalogue models nos. 14 and 30, and Kohn catalogue model no. 248, the Loos Café...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

Outdoor Sunbed Featuring Durable Outdoor Leather
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Noa Outdoor Sunbed The Noa side table carries Myface's contemporary style and meticulous attention to detail. A sophisticated yet simple urban fascination, made possible with elegan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Copper, Stainless Steel

Modern seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern seating 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 seating 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 fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include De Sede, Finn Juhl, Emeco, and Moooi. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $497,965 while the average work can sell for $3,803.

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