Seating
Mid-20th Century British Seating
Elm
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Seating
Cherry
1920s Vintage Seating
Beech
1950s Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating
Stainless Steel, Other
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood, Pine
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Plastic, Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Seating
Velvet, Oak
1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Brass, Steel
20th Century Belgian Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood, Oak, Walnut
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Birch
Early 1900s Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Seating
Ultrasuede
19th Century French Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Philippine Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Wood
1990s Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Canvas, Oak
1970s Vintage Seating
Velvet, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century Italian Louis XIII Antique Seating
Fruitwood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating
Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Rattan
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bronze
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Seating
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century British Georgian Seating
Rush, Oak
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Birch
1970s Vintage Seating
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating
Stainless Steel, Other
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating
Stainless Steel, Other
Late 19th Century Antique Seating
Walnut
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Fabric
1860s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Antique Seating
Birch
Early 2000s Italian Seating
Cotton
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Seating
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fiberglass
2010s English Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Wood
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
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
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.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.