Occasional Chair
Antique Late 19th Century British Chairs
Ash, Fruitwood
Antique Late 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Chairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Corner Chairs
Metal
1990s Italian Modern Club Chairs
Naugahyde, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s South African Post-Modern Chairs
Steel, Other
Late 20th Century Side Chairs
Iron
2010s American Space Age Lounge Chairs
Wool, Bouclé
Vintage 1940s French Chairs
Wood
2010s American Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Oak
2010s American Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood, Walnut
1990s American Modern Club Chairs
Fabric, Lucite
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Naugahyde, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century British Chairs
Bronze
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Side Chairs
Linen, Oak
Antique 1870s American Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Irish George III Side Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish Early Victorian Slipper Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s North American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bouclé
Antique 1890s Scottish Victorian Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1860s Scottish Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
20th Century Indian Modern Chairs
Rope, Wood, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Plaster
Vintage 1940s Italian Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Cowhide, Upholstery, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1940s American Side Chairs
Walnut
2010s American Side Chairs
Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1970s British Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Chairs
Walnut, Velvet
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Early 2000s Unknown Hollywood Regency Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Rattan
Antique Early 1900s Scottish Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1940s English Mid-Century Modern Bergere Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Leather, Rattan
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Lacquer
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Papercord, Oak
20th Century German Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s French Chairs
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century French Adirondack Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Club Chairs
Velvet
20th Century European Art Deco Chairs
Leather
20th Century American Organic Modern Club Chairs
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
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Occasional Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Occasional 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 ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between an occasional chair and an accent chair comes down to usage. An occasional chair is a decorative chair that is placed in a room for its look rather than to function as an everyday seating solution. As a result, occasional chairs may be used infrequently. An accent chair is any decorative chair placed in a seating area. They can be used only occasionally or on a daily basis. Explore a wide variety of chairs on 1stDibs.
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