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Modern Furniture

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Color:  Yellow
USM Haller Shelving R1 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Usm Haller Storage C1A18 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With one drop down door and one drawer. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powdercoated steel and chrome-plated steel t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

USM Haller Mid Credenza D Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With four drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated steel tubes, the US...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

USM Shelving R2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors and two drawers. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated stee...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Artemide Giò Light Off Center Suspension Lamp by Patrick Norguet
Located in Hicksville, NY
With its aluminum body, Giò is first and foremost an instrument; functional, unobtrusive and most of all, a timeless suspension lamp. It fits both within domestic and public places. Either plain or in its different versions, Giò is an elegant and efficient object in space. Available for purchase within the United States only...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Smile Adjustable Rotating Leather Armchair by FSM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM Smile chair by De Sede. With its new, patented adjustment mechanism, Smile offers comfort that stands out from the rest and can be stopped at any angle...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

cc-tapis Bliss Big Ultimate Rug by Mae Engelgeer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand knotted in the cc-tapis atelier in Kathmandu, Nepal. The rug is made with a cotton weave, Himalayan wool and pure silk coming from the areas surrounding the atelier. 152.000 ind...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Modern Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Couture Geometric Deco Yellow Pouf
Located in Milan, IT
Luxurious velvet graces the cylindrical silhouette of this stunning ottoman, whose stylish and intriguing allure borrows from the geometric charm of Art Deco furniture. The piece is ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Textile, Beech

Roly Poly Armchair in Ochre by Faye Toogood for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The distinctive, reassuringly chunky lines of Faye Toogood’s Roly-Poly furniture collection become even more inviting in her new collaboration with Driade. The latest line for the It...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Screen print by the Italian Op-Art artist Getulio Alviani, yellow- red
Located in Hamburg, DE
Screenprint by the Italian Op-Art artist Getulio Alviani. Getulio Alviani (1939-2018) was an Italian painter, object artist and representative of Op A...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Colour, a Modern Oval Coffee Table, Ral 1018 - Zinc Yellow, by Bas Vellekoop
Located in 'S-GRAVENHAGE, ZH
The Colour tables are available in more than 75 colours. Choose a colour that perfectly matches your interior or project. These modern side tables are ideal next to a couch or armc...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Sunset Rug by Pieces, Modern Round Hand Tufted Colorful Coral Yellow Rug Carpet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make a bold statement with the colorful Sunset rug. Not another neutral to help ground a room. Rugs that make the room. Hand tufted rug made of a wool/visco...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

Wonatti Lozere Sofa, Walnut Wood Footer, Yellow color Velvet
Located in Vila Nova De Famalicão, 03
A true statement of luxury. Combining the finest and ancient craftsmanship with luxurious levels of design, quality, and comfort. Wonatti lozere sofa, footer walnut wood, beige premium Portuguese leather...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Round Yellow Crumpled Rug from Graffiti Collection by Paulo Kobylka
Located in Londrina, Paraná
Inspired by graffiti, this rug is designed with simple and well-defined features, expressive lines and details that suggest light, shadow and depth. The manufacturing technique is th...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Furniture

Materials

Nylon

5.4x8.7 Ft Contemporary Hand Knotted Turkish Wool Area Rug in Plain Yellow
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Our over-dyed rugs are all hand-knotted vintage pieces that are recreated in our workshop to cater to a wider range of interior design choices from modern to coastal, from industrial...
Category

20th Century Turkish Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Italian Venetian Yellow Murano Glass Scavo Vase Contemporary 1990s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian Venetian Yellow Murano Glass Scavo Vase Contemporary 1990s This refined and elegant Venetian work of art was made in the island of Murano in the 1990s by Cenedese, following ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Cut Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

De Sede International Steel Tube Armchair by Hans Eichenberger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
HE-113/01 armchair by De Sede. Technical details: Upholstery: SEDEX upholstery with wadding cushion. Strap cover in core leather black. Frame: Chrome-plated steel tube frame. Bl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Pair of Yellow Steel Robot Bedside Tables / Nightstands
Located in Leicester, GB
A pair of yellow Robot bedside tables. The Robot side table features an open shelf on zig zag legs. A fun and functional design made of solid steel, powder-coated in red. The clean l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in Yellow by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin

L-Shaped Banquette w/ Multicolor Watercolor Linen + Yellow Linen, Customizable
Located in Greenwich, CT
Dimensions, fabric and finish are customizable, just ask. L-shaped banquette with exposed wood frame (maple) and upholstered with a multicolor watercolor linen on back rail and yell...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Linen, Maple, Trimming

DS-2011 Bauhaus Leather Armchair by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Armchair DS-2011/01 by De Sede. Aesthetics and functionality in a harmonious combination. An impressive design with a solid steel construction and light upholstery. Casual cushions and visible seams complete the harmonious look. Details: Standard configuration: Runners black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

BICAtable Square Modern Outdoor Steel Table in Yellow with Ipê Wood 234x80cm
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAtable Square XL is a sustainable steel table made for the outdoors from recycled and recyclable steel and finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this ca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel

DS-2878 Boxing Handstitched Leather Punching Bag by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Leather punching bag DS-2878/60 by De Sede. Matching to the re-edition of the DS-2878, De Sede boxing fans can get their hands on a very special a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

RH-305 Bauhaus Dining Tufted Armchair Leather, Stainless Steel Legs by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chair with armrests RH-305/01 by De Sede. A chair that has lost none of its elegance and style since it was created in the 1950s, an icon. The re-edition remains a Classic, but has b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

House of Scalamandre Zebras Throw Pillow
Located in Saint Louis, US
This luxury plush pillow is a product of the Art by Gomez atelier. The front is fitted with a rich sunflower yellow that supports a pattern with galloping zebras. The fabric is from the archives of the luxurious House of Scalamandre...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet

De Sede Leather Beanbag Longue Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-9087/60 beanbag chair by De Sede. Styrofoam ball filling.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Pair of rare Verval Vallauris yellow amber French glass vases
By Verval Vallauris
Located in Kleinburg, ON
Stamped 'Verval Vallauris' thick yellow/amber French glass vases. Handblown in Vallauris, a seaside commune in France dating back to 1501 and noted for its ceramics, glass, the bitte...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Fred Chair in Yellow by Exit Ceren, Represented by Tuleste Factory
Located in New York, NY
Fred Chair in Yellow by Ceren Arslan 2023 Suede Upholstery W 45" x D 40" x H 30" Item available for immediate delivery. Please contact us for shipping ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Suede, Acrylic

Essential Italian Yellow Onyx Wall Sconce "Tech"
Located in Milano, IT
The Tech short wall sconce is a lighting fixture that was designed to merge the luminaire and lampshade into a singular unit, using the translucent properties of ultra-thin veined yellow onyx...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Carlo Chair in Yellow by Exit Ceren, Represented by Tuleste Factory
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Chair in Yellow by Ceren Arslan 2023 Upholstered Suede W 33" x L 31.5" x H 31" Item available for immediate delivery. Lead time for this item is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Suede, Acrylic

DS-9090 Handstitched Leather Beanbag Chair by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beanbag chair DS-9090 by De Sede. Beanbags have long been a part of the De Sede inventory, but the manufacture has now gone one step further with the launch of DS-9090, a beanbag tha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

RH-305 Bauhaus Dining Tufted Chair Leather and Stainless Steel Legs by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chair RH-305/01 by De Sede. A chair that has lost none of its elegance and style since it was created in the 1950s, an icon. The re-edition remains a Classic, but has been adapted sl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede Stepped Leather Longue Chair by Christophe Marchand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-2660/101 longue chair by De Sede. Technical details: Standard configuration: Armrests covered in leather. For further versions, please inquire. If not specified otherwise, the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Pino Signoretto, Yellow Orb Sculpture
Located in Summerland, CA
Beautiful and unusual organic sculptural vase made in bright yellow glass. Created by artist Pino Signoretto. (1944=2017). World renowned art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

BICAtable Square Modern Outdoor Steel Table in Yellow with Ipê Wood 180x80cm
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAtable Square XL is a sustainable steel table made for the outdoors from recycled and recyclable steel and finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this ca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel

De Sede Leather Sofa by Stephan Hürlemann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-77/03 2-seat sofa by De Sede. Technical details: Standard configuration: Steel legs, matte dark nickel coating. Standard seat and back heights. Neck support in brushed stainle...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede Leather Club Chair by Kurt Erni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-2620/01 armchair by De Sede. Technical details: Standard configuration: Legs beechwood black-coated. If not specified otherwise, the standard configuration will be confirmed....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Daria Marchik "Clea" Photograph, 2013
Located in New York, NY
Daria Marchik (Russian, b. 1985) "Clea" digital photograph, 2013, depicting a female figure wearing a wig, handcuffs, and gag with fangs, signed, titled, dated, and numbered "1/10" t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Paper

Noble Chair in Teak Oak with Upholstery, by Arne Hovmand-Olsen from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
An elegant and ?noble? designer chair created in the 1950s by the acclaimed furniture designer, Arne Hovmand-Olsen. The Noble dining chair is a Classic beauty that transports the cra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Foam

DS-1164 Leather Bed Frame with Adjustable Headboard by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bed frame DS-1164/160A by De Sede. The bed collection DS-1164 celebrates the rediscovery of divine sleep. The design principle follows closely in the footsteps of the sofa DS-164 whi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

RH-301 Bauhaus Leather Tufted Lounge Chair with Steel Legs by Robert Haussmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chair RH-301/01 by De Sede. The appeal of tubular stainless steel furniture is timeless. Created in 1954 as a tribute to Mies van der Rohe, Robert Haussmann’s famous chrome-plated fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

DS-1151/1152 Handstitched Leather Bed Frame and Headboard by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bed frame DS-1151/160B and headboard DS-1152/160 by De Sede. When dreams come true. The epitome of a box spring bed. A leather-covered head section with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Filou Adjustable Reclining Leather Easy Lounge Chair by FSM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM Filou chair by De Sede. Filou's seat and footrest are fully crafted and can be stopped at any angle without any effort. A clever solution presents the upholstery from being undul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

DS-2011 Bauhaus Leather Two-Seat Sofa by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two-seat sofa DS-2011/02 by De Sede. Aesthetics and functionality in a harmonious combination. An impressive design with a solid steel construction and light upholstery. Casual cushions and visible seams complete the harmonious look. Details: Standard configuration: Runners black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

21st Century Matteo Zorzenoni Cantilever S Side Coffee Table Wood Yellow Scapin
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Cantilever Small, Side Table Design by Matteo Zorzenoni, product by Scapin Collezioni Cantilever is a collection of small tables characterized by their visual imbalance created bec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

De Sede Leather Armchair by Stephan Hürlemann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-77/01 armchair by De Sede. Technical details: Standard configuration: Steel legs, matte dark nickel coating. Standard seat and back heights. Neck support in brushed stainless ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Bauhaus Gabo Adjustable Cantilever Leather Chair by FSM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM Gabo chair by de Sede. Gabo is multi-faceted. Take the cantilever chair, sleek and stylish with its classic round-tube profile, or the elegant square-tube frame chair. Both combi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Juna Convertible Leather Sofa by FSM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM Juna Sofa by De Sede. Luxurious lightness. Juna is quite clearly a clever symbiosis between elegant form and functionality. The sofa has slender legs that support a seat with two...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

USM Haller Pedestal V Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With three 6" drawers. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM Ha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

USM Haller Shelving RE119
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. Perforated panels elevated. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powdercoated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Vistosi Oval Giogali SP OV1 Chandelier with Chrome Base by Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
A decorative lighting system based on a single element, the handmade glass hook. It is available in different colors, as standard table, ceiling, pendant, wall fixture and floor. It ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Giant Frog Sculpture in Green Lucite
Located in New York, NY
A mesmerizing must-have in solid green acrylic, our giant frog looks fab anchoring a tablescape or makes a great focal point in an unused fireplace. Our ov...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Acrylic

Sesam Adjustable Reclining Leather Armchair by FSM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM Sesam armchair by De Sede. The ultimate in comfort. A simple adjustment - that can even be made while seated - swivels out the footrest and reclines the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

DS-76 Convertible Leather Modern Sofa or Daybed by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sofa with transitional bed function DS-76/102 by De Sede. We launched the DS-76 back in 1972. At that time, the element set was regarded as revolution...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede Customizable Leather Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-900/01 customizable rocking chair by De Sede. Technical details: Standard configuration: lastic runners / Piping tone on tone. For further versions, please inquire. If not spe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

RH-306 Large Tufted Leather Chesterfield Sofa by Robert Haussmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sofa RH-306/103 by De Sede. The Chesterfield sofa has been the epitome of English furniture culture and style since the mid-17th century – and inspired the designers to create a new ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Easy Adjustable Leather Sofa by FSM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM easy sofa by De Sede. Create new free spaces. So much, in fact, that even two people can relax next to one another. The seating depth can be increased up to 20 cm. The armrests c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

DS-1088 Configurable Patchwork Leather Sofa with Elongated Cushions by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Four adjustable sofa base elements DS-1088/05 and three cushions DS-1088/96 by de Sede. Patchwork in its prettiest form. DS-1088 presents itself with a beautiful special feature. The leather is elaborately crafted by hand in a patchwork appearance – for an individually stylish look. The sofa landscape consists of single cubic elements that can be combined with one another in infinite ways. Cushions with an elongated design need no attachment to stay on the sofa and can be moved around in flexible ways. We launched this favorite sofa back in 1975. Now, nearly 45 years later, we are celebrating its comeback. Details: Standard configuration: Seat element in a patchwork look, connectors can be used to combine the individual seating elements to create custom sofa landscapes. Upholstery and assembly: Sedex upholstery covered with wadding. Compact frame made of panel materials and strapped to seat frame. Cushions filled with spelt chaff and latex for combined support and comfort. Glides for hard and soft floor coverings. Function: Unused connectors can be removed. Note: Loosely covered...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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 seating, lighting, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Rug & Kilim, Schumacher, Vistosi, and Kartell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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