Retro Armchairs
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Armchairs
Chrome
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Plastic
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Beech, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Armchairs
Upholstery, Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bentwood, Fabric
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Sideboards
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Foam, Beech
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Armchairs
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Foam, Beech
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Armchairs
Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Armchairs
Linen, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Other
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Bentwood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
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Retro Armchairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Retro Armchairs?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
Read More
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Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.