Seating
2010s Portuguese Seating
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Foam
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Ebony, Down
1890s French French Provincial Antique Seating
Oak
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Textile, Wool, Beech
2010s English George III Seating
Mohair
2010s Italian Seating
Wood
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
1940s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wood
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Seating
Cotton
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Seating
Oak
2010s Brazilian Modern Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century French Modern Seating
Foam, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Mohair, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Seating
Linen, Wood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Textile, Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Seating
Velvet, Walnut
2010s American Modern Seating
Maple
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Brazilian Modern Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Walnut, Plywood
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Plastic, Upholstery
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Seating
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Seating
Brass
19th Century Antique Seating
Upholstery
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Sheepskin, Wood
1950s American Other Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Brass
1970s Danish Vintage Seating
Leather
2010s American Modern Seating
Maple
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Iron
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Seating
Cane, Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Lambskin, Oak
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Birch
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Papercord, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Seating
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Teak
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
19th Century Pakistani Tribal Antique Seating
Silk, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Seating
Leather
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan
2010s French Modern Seating
Fabric, Foam
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1920s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Space Age Seating
Fabric, Fiberglass
1960s Italian Vintage Seating
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
2010s Vietnamese Modern Seating
Wood
Unique Chairs, Sofas and Other Seating for Sale on 1stDibs
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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Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
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.