Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Before growing into one of the largest furniture brands in the United States in the mid-20th century, the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. had humble beginnings. It was founded in 1902, when Peter E. Kroehler, a Chicago-based businessman who grew up on a farm in Minnesota, bought a small furniture manufacturer called Naperville Lounge Co., a maker of wooden lounge chairs and upholstered furniture, founded in 1893.
Peter had first worked there as a clerk before rising to partner and then president and finally owner. Under Kroehler’s leadership, a new factory was built in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 1913, and soon after the company was renamed.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. became a fixture of the American furniture industry, eventually employing around 8,000 people in four plants in Illinois and Ohio, and by the 1940s was bringing in more than $20 million in annual sales.
The company was a pioneer in innovative 20th-century furniture, patenting some of its designs, like the Unifold sofa bed with a removable mattress that was developed in 1909 and the sideways foldable Duofold sofa bed. Colorful ads in popular magazines such as Ladies Home Journal propelled these dual-purpose furnishings into customer favorites.
Kroehler was also known for its hand-tufted Turkish couches as well as unique shapes for lounge-chair backs, such as batwings and scallops. In addition to seating and sofa beds, the company specialized in furniture for the entire home, from sturdy wooden cabinets to sleek mid-century modern credenzas.
Kroehler’s historic Naperville factory closed in 1978 due to financial struggles and was acquired by a Chicago investment firm that sold the plants as well as the rights to the Kroehler name. Its Naperville factory was converted into apartments in the 1980s, and decades later the company name is still visible on the building.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. is remembered for its long association with the Chicago area and its quality mid-century modern pieces, which remain coveted collector’s items to this day.
Find vintage Kroehler Manufacturing Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century Mission Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Faux Leather, Oak
1970s American Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood, Bentwood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
20th Century North American Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass
1960s Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Chenille, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Mohair, Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Birch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Birdseye Maple
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery
1950s American Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Velvet, Rosewood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Asian William IV Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood
1960s Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Leather, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Suede
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Iron
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Brass
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Glass, Rosewood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kroehler Mfg. Co. Furniture
Wood
Kroehler Mfg. Co. furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Kroehler Mfg. Co.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify Kroehler furniture, search the back, underside, drawer interiors and other inconspicuous areas. Most Kroehler pieces have a stamped or branded maker's mark that bears the Kroehler name. As this mark has changed over the years, comparing the logo and wording on your piece to images published on trusted online resources can help you estimate approximately when it was made. In some cases, the mark may include a production date or a collection name, making a furnishing simpler to identify. If you need assistance with the identification process, consider consulting a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Kroehler furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kroehler furniture was first started in 1902, when founder Peter E. Kroehler bought the Naperville Lounge Company. After the factory was destroyed by a tornado in 1913, he built a new factory and named it Kroehler Manufacturing Co. Shop a collection of Kroehler furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How old is Kroehler Furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024As a company, Kroehler Furniture is more than 125 years old. Fred Long and John Kraushar founded the company as the Naperville Lounge Company in 1898, and in 1902, the name changed to the Kroehler Manufacturing Company. Kroehler continued to produce furniture until 1981. Explore a variety of Kroehler furniture on 1stDibs.
- What is Kroehler?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kroehler, which rhymes with tailor, is an American furniture manufacturing company known for its unique style and supreme comfort. It was founded in 1913, and the designs have stood the test of time. You can shop a collection of Kroehler furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.