Small Arm Chair
Antique 19th Century Victorian Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
1990s American American Classical Swivel Chairs
Cotton, Wood, Down
Antique 19th Century English Regency Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Suede, Teak
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rosewood
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
1990s Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1940s American Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Empire Side Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Side Chairs
Paint, Wood
Vintage 1930s American Lounge Chairs
Rattan
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric
Antique 19th Century Georgian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Maple
2010s American Art Deco Swivel Chairs
Maple, Velvet
Early 2000s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Early 20th Century American Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Iron
2010s South African Modern Corner Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Chairs
Upholstery, Wicker
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Tapestry, Hardwood
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Chairs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Club Chairs
PVC
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Modern Chairs
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Naugahyde, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1920s Dutch Art Deco Chairs
Rush, Oak
20th Century American Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Jacaranda
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Side Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century Country Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century Unknown Rustic Windsor Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Papercord, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Teak
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Rocking Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1930s Japanese Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Bamboo
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Corner Chairs
Muslin, Mahogany
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Small Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Small Arm Chair?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Chairs with arms are called armchairs, and there are many styles of them. Examples include club, wingback and roll arm chairs. Find a collection of armchairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A chair with arms is an armchair.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Small chairs are often called slipper chairs. The first examples date back to the Victorian era, when they often appeared in women's dressing areas. Their low height made it easy for women wearing the bulky corsets and petticoats of the time to sit down so that someone could help them get their slippers or shoes on. Even though people primarily use these chairs in sitting areas today, the name has stuck. Explore an assortment of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
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This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
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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.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.