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Mid-Century Modern Furniture

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Jens Risom
Jens Risom Pair of Yellow Arm Chairs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mid century pair of yellow reupholstered arm chairs in excellent condition.. Beautiful set of legs, all are strong and sturdy.. Will l...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Pair Mid-Century Modern Walnut Armchairs by Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of beautifully restored, model C-120 armchairs by Jens Risom feature sculptural, solid walnut frames with textured, steel blue tweed upholstery. A truly handsome pair of armchai...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Jens Risom Armchair for Knoll Associates
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This is a beautiful upholstered armchair designed by Jens Risom for HG Knoll & Associates in the 1940s. It is one of the early, iconic chairs that ushered in a period of incredible mid-century modern design. The solid Birch frame cradles a foam cushioned seat that was recently reupholstered in Knoll Maharam fabrics. The fabric is timeless and high-quality, and it suits the lighter birch wood color perfectly. This is more than just a collectible MCM chair...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Birch

Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cabinet Credenza
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Two-door Mid-Century Modern cabinet by Jens Risom. Classic style of Risom where case appears to be floating on base. Nickeled hardware, finished back, Divided in centre with two adju...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Jens Risom 1970s Paldao Wood Modernist File Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Rare 1970s Mid-Century Modern paldao wood file cabinet designed by Jens Risom, fully restored with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Arm Chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll in Walnut and Newly Upholstered
Located in Chesham, GB
A pair Jens Risom armchairs in a newly upholstered blue coloured fabric. The frame is made from walnut. Manufacturer - Knoll Designer - Jens Risom Design Period - 1960 to 19...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Jens Risom 1970s Sculptural Walnut Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of 1970s sculptural walnut armchairs designed by Jens Risom, fully restored and re-upholstered, with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Formica Top Writing Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury Walnut and Formica top writing desk This desk measures: 72 wide x 35.25 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches All pieces of furniture ca...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Formica, Walnut

Jens Risom Model No. 2118 Walnut Lounge Chair in Original Upholstery, c. 1960's
Located in Deland, FL
Ultra-rare, ultra-dazzling and ultra-comfortable. This extraordinary armchair has it all! Expertly-designed by Danish-American designer Jens Risom, this splendid lounger is the perfe...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Credenza in Oiled Walnut
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom credenza in oiled walnut, features four drawers and one file drawer, two doors with adjustable shelves, finished on the backside, and Stainless...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury walnut lounge chair. This chair measures: 23.25 wide x 24 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm h...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Cantilever End / Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Danish mid-century walnut cantilever side / end table with a rectangular off-center tabletop with shallow gallery supported by a walnut stretcher base. (Jens Risom).     
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut & Cream Occasional Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Jens Risom 1960s arm chairs. These examples have newly finished solid walnut frames with subtly tapered arms and have bean recently upholstered in a soft off-white leather.
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pair of Jens Risom C-220 Lounge Chairs Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of model C-220 slipper lounge chairs by Jens Risom, Circa 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Bookcase Credenza
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury walnut bookcase credenza This credenza measures: 77.75 wide x 20 deep x 29.25 inches high All pieces of furnitu...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom for Knoll Model 666 Side Chair in Birch and Green Strapping, USA
Located in Deland, FL
Designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1941, the model 666 chair is perhaps Risom's most iconic creation in a career that led American Mid-Century furniture des...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Birch

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Circular Wooden Lazy Susan End / Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Danish mid-century end / side table with a revolving circular wooden top with a shallow lip, resting on four square tapered wooden legs. (Jens Risom).   
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut credenza This credenza measures: 72 wide x 22 deep x 26 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in wh...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Caning Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
American/Danish Mid-Century walnut coffee table with a gently diamond-shaped top resting on a structured stretcher base with four tapered legs and stretcher shelf with caned inset...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Set of Two '2' Jens Risom for Knoll Model 666 Side Dining Chairs in Birch, 1960s
Located in Deland, FL
Designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1941, the model 666 chair is perhaps Risom's most iconic creation in a career that led American Mid-Century furniture des...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Birch

Scarce Pair of Jens Risom Sculptural Chromed Steel Lounge Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of rare early easy chairs designed by Jens Risom having solid chrome steel frames with Knoll wool fabric in black. Elegant lines and a design th...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Jens Risom Danish Gray Fabric Upholstered Teak 'Playboy' Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century 'Playboy' armchair with and angular teak wood frame and gray woven fabric upholstered seat and back with button tufting. (JENS RISOM)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Early Jens Risom Model 108 Arm Chair for Risom Designs in Walnut, USA, c. 1950s
Located in Deland, FL
A rare and elegant 1950's walnut armchair, Model 108, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs Inc. This collectable chair is found in it's original Naugahyd...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jens Risom (Danish American,1916-2016) Mid-Century Modern walnut writing desk. Features 2 drawers with beautiful walnut handles. Key include...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Floating Top Walnut Coffee Table / Benches
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Danish Mid-Century walnut coffee tables / benches with floating tops supported by a walnut stretcher base with four tapered legs. (JENS RISOM) (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Wood

Jens Risom Sideboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous sideboard designed by one of the pioneers of mid-century furniture design, Jens Risom. Fine wood grain and bold lines come together in a sideboard t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Teak

Danish Mid-Century Circular Walnut Revolving Lazy Susan Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century circular walnut dining table with a rotating lazy susan top resting on an X-shaped walnut base with tapered square legs. (JENS RISOM)(Similar tables: DUF0276, DUF0...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Beige Leather and Walnut Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century console table with a walnut frame and rectangular table top with a beige leather wrap. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Floating Stained Walnut and Floral Upholstered Bench
Located in New York, NY
Danish mid-century floating bench with a dark stained walnut frame with four tapered square legs connected by two stretchers to support a floating b...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut, Wood

Jens Risom Square Walnut Extension Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern, walnut, draw-leaf, extension dining table by Jens Risom features two 16 inch leaves that extend the table to 72 inches wide. The leaves tuck underneath the table ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Impressive Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Large Walnut Credenza or Sideboard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Handsome Jens Risom (1916-2016) designed Danish Modern walnut credenza is perfect for office or home. Designed and produced by Jens Risom...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Purple Tufted Velour and Wood Floating Bench
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with a purple button tufted velour seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Danish Gray Velvet Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a walnut stretcher base supporting a rectangular seat cushion upholstered in gray velvet with button tufted detail. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Wood

Mid-Century Sofa in Walnut by Jens Risom Newly Reupholstered in Charcoal Wool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic mid-century three-seat sofa by one of the Grand Masters of the era, Jens Risom. Newly upholstered an a charcoal grey wool. Low profile cushions a...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Fall-Front Walnut Bedside Table / Commode
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century walnut bedside table / commode with a bottom cabinet with a fall-front drawer and brass drawer pull with an open compartment above with four dowel legs. (JENS RISOM)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Handsome Mid-Century Modern Walnut Jens Risom Desk Table Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
If you are looking for an icon of Mid-Century Modern – Scandinavian Modern design, look no further. And if you are wanting a beautiful and functional desk for your home or office, lo...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Wooden Cutout Circular Lazy Susan End / Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century lazy susan end / side table with a rotating circular top with an off-center circular cutout supported by four tapered square wooden legs. (JENS RISOM)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Rose Pink Upholstery and Walnut Floating Bench
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a textured rose pink upholstered seat resting on a walnut frame. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Fabric

Jens Risom Mid-Century Walnut Credenza
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom mid-century walnut credenza. This credenza measures: 54.25 wide x 20.25 deep x 26.25 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut 8-Drawer Dresser / Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century walnut 8-drawer dresser with four narrow drawers on the left and four wider drawers on the right, the top of which folds down to crea...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom for Knoll Multi-Colored Textured Upholstered Blonde Wood Slipper
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern slipper / side chair with woven multi-colored fabric upholstery, resting on an angled blonde wood base with angled and tapered legs. (Jens Risom for Knoll)(Similar...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Single Drawer Console Tables
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Danish Mid-Century console tables with walnut frames and rectangular table tops with a single drawer beneath. (JENS RISOM)(PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Light Gray Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a walnut stretcher base supporting a rectangular seat cushion upholstered in light gray woven fabric with button tufted detail. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Caning Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
American/Danish Mid-Century walnut coffee table with a gently diamond-shaped top resting on a structured stretcher base with four tapered legs and stretcher shelf with caned inset...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid-century Walnut Credenza by Jens Risom
Located in Dorchester, MA
Jens Risom designed this credenza as part of an executive office suite. The handsome walnut case sets a shallow divided drawer above a deep drawer on either side of two shelves conce...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Jens Risom for Ralph Pucci Metallic Space Age A-Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime pair of mid-century modern chairs designed by Jens Risom (1916-2016 Danish-American) in 1961. Known as the A-chair featuring a graceful and elegant sinuous design. Risom joined Ralph Pucci...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut 8-Drawer Dresser / Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century walnut 8-drawer dresser with four narrow drawers on the left and four wider drawers on the right, the top of which folds down to crea...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Draw Leaf Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century walnut draw leaf dining table with a square top that pulls open from two sides to expand the table top surface, resting on four tapered dowel legs. (JENS RISOM)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Army Green Fabric Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with a green fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom for Knoll Lime Green Striped Upholstered Blonde Wood Slipper
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern slipper / side chair with faintly striped lime green fabric upholstery, resting on an angled blonde wood base with angled and tape...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Mid-Century Jen Risom Walnut Coffee Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
40? Mid-century Jen Rison walnut coffee table. Jens Risom coffee table in walnut laminate. Round top with square sculptural base. Original Jens Risom D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Off-White Vinyl and Teak Dining Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century dining side chair with a teak wood frame and off-white vinyl upholstered seat and chair back. (JENS RISOM)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Teak

Jens Risom for Knoll Striped Upholstered Blonde Wood Slipper / Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern slipper / side chair with red, blue, yellow, and beige striped fabric upholstery, resting on an angled blonde wood base with angled and tapered legs. (JENS RISOM F...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Black Tufted Vinyl and Wood Floating Bench
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a black vinyl button tufted seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Danish Blue and Green Southwestern Pattern Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with a banded Southwestern blue and green patterned fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom C-120 Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this handsome 1950's model C-120 Jens Risom armchair in exceptional all-original condition. The chair features an exposed, solid walnut frame with an elegan...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Beautiful Midcentury Walnut Cane Headboard by Jens Risom King Bed
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful walnut king size bed headboard in wonderful vintage condition cane shows patina. Finely crafted with Cane that is painted white Lacquer ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Blond Oak 6-Drawer Dresser
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century dresser with 6 drawers with angled rectangular oak drawer pulls in a blond oak case resting on four tapered legs. (JENS RISOM)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak, Wood

Mid-century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Knoll, Fabio Ltd, and J.T. Kalmar. 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.

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