Seating
Mid-19th Century German Black Forest Antique Seating
Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Foam
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Seating
Leather, Velvet, Polyester, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Iron
Late 20th Century French Seating
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary British Tribal Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Seating
Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery, Teak
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Metal, Chrome
2010s Portuguese Modern Seating
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Seating
Rope, Oak
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum, Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Cotton, Foam, Walnut
2010s Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather
2010s Canadian Brutalist Seating
Wood, Ash
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Seating
Steel, Chrome
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Seating
Steel
1980s Norwegian Brutalist Vintage Seating
Steel
Late 20th Century American Seating
Upholstery, Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bamboo, Wicker
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Rush, Wenge
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Iron
20th Century Modern Seating
Leather
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Wood, Faux Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Rosewood
2010s French Industrial Seating
Steel
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric
1990s Norwegian Seating
Fabric, Beech
20th Century Organic Modern Seating
Fabric, Rattan, Rope
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Canvas, Bentwood
1970s French Vintage Seating
Wool, Elm
1990s French Modern Seating
Bronze
19th Century British Primitive Antique Seating
Ash, Elm
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Elm
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
1890s British Chesterfield Antique Seating
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Seating
Wood, Walnut
2010s German Modern Seating
Wood, Oak
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Seating
Leather
1980s Italian Vintage Seating
Reed
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Seating
Leather
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Textile, Beech
2010s Brazilian Modern Seating
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
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.