Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

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.

803
76
38
to
132
677
230
917
851
859
267
85
42
31
16
16
14
10
8
8
5
4
3
2
1
802
114
373
317
8
47
165
215
42
18
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
491
457
104
137
67
79
56
67
52
58
49
59
600
506
275
235
181
499
480
309
87
72
58
56
46
30
20
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Swivel Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered swivel chairs. Newly upholstered in luxurious beige textured fabric with contrast piping. Comfortable thick seat cushion and swivel mechanism m...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Black Vintage Desk Chair Style Egon Eiermann 1950s Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage black desk chair of office chair or swivel chair, which was designed in the style of Egon Eiermann, Germany 1950s. The swiveling desk chair is adjustable f...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Barrel Back Club Chairs by Adrian Pearsall
Located in Wilmington, DE
Pair of Mid-Century Modern barrel back club chairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Offered is a pair of Mid-Century Modern barrel back club chairs by Adrian Pearsall for C...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Overman Pod Swivel Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two vintage modern overman swivel chairs featuring black vinyl upholstery and five legged chrome base. Stylish swivel seating adds Mid-Century Mod...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Chrome Steelcase Swivel Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Orange Mohair
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazing pair of Platner style chromed steel swivel lounge chairs with orange mohair. These chairs are so gorgeous in person-i just want to take a bite out of them-like yummy candy. T...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

1950's Harvey Probber Leather Barrel Back Swivel Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of crisply tailored club/lounge chairs by Harvey Probber, circa 1950's. The chairs feature deep seats with loose seat cushions and enveloping barrel backs making a cozy embrace,...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

20th Century Vintage White and Blue Leaves Velvet Swivel Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Swivel armchairs from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sm...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Green Mid Century Swivel Italian Chair Office Feet Wood Melchiorre Bega Style
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Green Mid Century swivel Italian chair office feet wood Melchiorre Bega Style. Original Condition. height adjustable.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Russell Woodard Woven Spun Fiberglas MCM Swivel Seat Lounge Arm Dining Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Russell Woodard Woven Spun Fiberglas MCM swivel seat lounge arm dining chair. Item features swivel seat, pedestal base, woven fiberglass construction, very ...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Set of Four Midcentury Swivel Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique set of vinyl covered swivel chairs with wood armrests and painted metal 5-point star bases. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

20th Century Vintage Black Leather Swivel Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Swivel armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Shelby Williams MCM Swivel Bucket Chairs Red Vinyl Faux Leather & Chrome X Base
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome pair of Shelby Williams Mid-Century Modern swivel bucket chairs with chrome X base. Newly upholstered in bright red vinyl faux leather fabr...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Midcentury Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage modern swivel chair features stitched red vinyl with brass upholstery buttons around the trim. Substantial cast iron swivel base adds gothic appeal to this midcen...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Iron

Pair of Trump Plaza Bar Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of stools are from the famous Trump Plaza in NYC. Featuring high backs and thick seat cushions these stools are perfect for any home bar or game ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Umanoff Style Red Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Arthur Umanoff style tall swivel bar stools these stools feature an iron base with bentwood slatted seats and a woven rush backrest pain...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Iron

Pair of Vinyl Circle Chairs
By Castro Convertibles
Located in New York, NY
One bright red/orange, one off-white. Both in original vinyl upholstery. Raised on tapered pole legs, with ball form caster feet.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

PVC, Wood

Swivel Armchair in the Middle of the Century, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, metal The fabric is torn in places Suitable for upholstery.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Model ML91 Swivel Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Mikael Laursen, 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare Illum Wikkelso designed swivel model ML91 lounge chair produced by A. Mikael Laursen circa 1960 in Denmark. This is rare variant of the ML91 with an aluminum swivel base where t...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Industrial Style Green Vinyl and Steel Toledo Stool
Located in New York, NY
Mid-century American industrial style green vinyl seat and back stool with adjustable swivel patinated steel frame with a square stretcher base. (made by TOLEDO).       
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Vintage Swivel Chair by Rudolf Wolf for Rohé Noordwolde, 1960s
By Hans Rudolf Hentschel, Rohe Noordwolde
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Vintage black skai high back lounge/swivel chair with a chrome base designed by Rudolf Wolf for Rohé Noordwolde. Rare chair with a beautiful design which is also very comfortable....
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Wim Den Boon Executive Chair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wim Den Boon, office chair black faux leather, metal, The Netherlands, 1960 This unique office chair is designed by Wim Den Boon for private Dutch...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Milo Baughman Petite Swivel and Tilt Lounge Chairs
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Set of four Milo Baughman Petite swivel and tilt lounge chairs Chairs sit on rosewood swivel bases.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Rosewood

Restored Vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen Swivel Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Grey Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the epitome of relaxation and style with our vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen style swivel lounge chair and matching ottoman, meticulously restored to capture the essence of the 1960...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Upholstered Swivel Chairs Style of Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Pair of swivel chairs style of Milo Baughman. Chairs have round black lacquered wood bases.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Vintage Modern Pink Barrel Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stylish pair of vintage modern barrel back chairs with a fluffed backrest and a thick padded seat. A covered swivel base offers convenience without sacrificing style. This pair of ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

20th Century Vintage White and Blue Leaves Velvet Swivel Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Swivel armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Swivel Armchair Closer with Natural Leather and Brass
Located in Lisbon, PT
Closer in an amazingly comfortable and functional armchair with tall back and swivel polished brass base, upholstered in soft natural leather and fabric. Made to Order. If you are...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

American Industrial Metal Swivel Stool
Located in New York, NY
American 1940's industrial metal stool with a natural wood round top with an adjustable seat heat and a round foot rest.      
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Vintage Brass Swivel Lounge Chairs Attributed to Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional pair of vintage swivel lounge chairs attributed to Milo Baughman designed and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. Each chair has been professionally reupholst...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Midcentury Steel Bar Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of vintage bar stools features heavy brushed steel construction and a plush upholstery base. The top half of the stools is one seaml...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of Three Milo Baughman Tilt and Swivel Lounge Chairs Chrome Bases
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Set of three Milo Baughman tilt and swivel lounge chairs chrome bases.    
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

1970s Directional Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs in Ivory Velvet
Located in New York, NY
1970s Directional pair of ivory velvet swivel lounge chairs with slightly curved backs and seats which tilt back and forth and swivel on upholstered round base. These chic swivel lou...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Set of Four Wrought Iron Swivel Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Four swivel chairs with wrought iron frames, and upholstered pad seats (upholstery as is). Interesting wraparound backrests, unusual to find swivel dining height chairs. Design after...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Swivel Chairs in the Style of Dunbar
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered Swivel chairs in the style of Dunbar. Newly restored in designer navy velvet. Price includes complimentary curb side delivery to the contine...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Gispen Executive "356 PQR" Office Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive mid century Gispen Executive "356 PQR" Office Chair. Designed by Christoffel Hoffmann. Massive base, thick rubber feet, bakelite armrests, and spring tension recliner. Or...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

1980s Geometric Pastel Upholstered Swivel Armchair on Round Plinth Wood Base
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A lovely 1980's Thayer Coggin style swivel armchair. Upholstered in a geometric pastel pattern, this chair features rolled arms, and a rounded waterfall back...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Swivel Chair by Mulhauser for Plycraft
Located in New York, NY
Rare and unusual form not often seen, designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. Swivel upholstered chair in orange vinyl with bent ply shell, c...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Plywood

Midcentury Barber, Styling Chair
Located in Vienna, AT
Hairdressing chairs upholstered with a floral artificial material, headpiece, and stem of cherry-beech wood, steel base, adjustable height pedal for...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Tufted Swivel Executive Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern armchair with swivel action. Set on a five point star base in faux wood grain. (Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer).  
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Midcentury Milo Baughman Clam Shell Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern pair of lounge chairs float on top of a circular chrome trim swivel base. The shell backrest and removable seat cushions boast the perfect contours ensur...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Hans Brattrud for Hove Möbler Vintage Large Retro 1970s Revolving Lounge Chair
Located in Markington, GB
Very large Hans Brattrud for Hove Möbler vintage retro 1970s revolving armchair lounge chair with the unusual leather upholstery. Super comfortable, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Leather, Lucite

Pair of Orange Vladimir Kagan Design Channel Back Swivel Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Matching pair of stylish and very comfortable lounge chairs by Vladimir Kagan design for Directional Inc. from the early 1980s. Each professiona...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

High Back tufted Lounge Chairs, 1960s USA
Located in Miami, FL
Structurally sound lounge chairs. High back tufted velvet. Fabric should be replaced. 1960s USA
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet

2 Midcentury Green Channel Back Swivel Armchairs Milo Baughman Attributed, Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Pair of Mid-Century Modern shell shape back swivel armchairs in the style of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. These beautiful armchairs both rest on a covered matching upholstered pl...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood

Pair of Midcentury Danish Modern Selig Swivel Club Chairs
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a pair of mid-century modern swivel chairs by Selig. They are in decent condition, but need to be reupholstered, showing age wear (minor tears, stains, age we...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs by Selig
Located in New York, NY
Pair of swivel lounge chairs by Selig. The chairs are upholstered in velvet with a round wood base.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Metal Barstools, Black Lacquer, Chrome, Grey Leather, France, 1950s
Located in Regensburg, DE
Introducing our exquisite Art Deco Style midcentury bar stools, sourced from France in the 1950s and meticulously restored to their former glory. These stunning bar stools feature a ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Midcentury Scandinavian Swivel Armchair, Norway, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very comfortable.  
Category

1970s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Michael Wolk Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Michael Wolk "Miami" swivel lounge chairs. The chairs are upholstered in an off-white bouclé fabric with black wooden swivel bases.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood, Bouclé

Pair of Mid-century Swivel Chairs in the style of Milo Baughman for Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Matching pair of stylish and very comfortable lounge chairs, Milo Baughman Style from the early 1980s. Each custom upholstered swivel chair, barrel back style, covered in a gorgeous ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Selig Pair of Swivel Cathedral Chairs in Red Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Selig, pair of swivel chairs, red fabric, wood, United States, 1960s The combination of the high, drop-like pointy back and the straight front gives these chairs both a simplistic m...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Swivel Polo Club Chairs in Black Vinyl by Overman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic pair of overman pod chairs features swivel seats on sturdy chrome "x" base. These comfortable midcentury chairs boast vintage vinyl cover...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Mid-Century Modern "Kropp Stolen Original" Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous Mid-Century burgundy vinyl lounge chair and ottoman features tufted cushions, rosewood armrests and a swivel base. The comfortable and iconic design is labeled "Importe...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Rosewood

Post-Modern Norwegian Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This uniquely shaped Mid-Century Modern style lounge chair features upholstered vinyl swivel chair paired with matching ottoman. Uniquely sculpted i...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Button Back Swivel Arm Chairs in Holly Hunt Velvet
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and sculptural pair of button back swivel arm/ lounge chairs were realized in the United States circa 1970. They feature circular bases bisected by a convex rectangular...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Mid-Century Style Swivel Lounge Chairs by Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This comfortable pair of swivel style lounge chairs by Selig make a stylish addition to any setting. Rounded back seats with sturdy metal bases, this unique matching pair is perfect ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Geoffrey Harcourt, Chair 130, 'RCA' Chair, Designed 1960, Produced by Artifort
Located in London, GB
Geoffrey Harcourt, UK (designer) Artifort, The Netherlands (manufacturer) Chair 130 - 'RCA' Chair - designed 1960 Curved, veneered plywood, cast aluminium swivel base. Geoffrey Har...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Mid-century Modern swivel chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern swivel chairs 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 swivel chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern swivel chairs made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original swivel chairs, popular names associated with this style include Charles and Ray Eames, Milo Baughman, Herman Miller, and Lawson-Fenning. 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 swivel chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $245 and tops out at $78,600 while the average work can sell for $3,403.

Recently Viewed

View All