Seating
Late 20th Century German Space Age Seating
Fabric
1940s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
1940s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
20th Century Seating
Cowhide, Leather
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Seating
Wood, Paint
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Fiberglass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Mohair, Beech
1890s English Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Spanish Art Deco Seating
Metal
1970s English Hollywood Regency Vintage Seating
Beech
2010s English Modern Seating
Cork
21st Century and Contemporary British Tribal Seating
Brass
1950s American Craftsman Vintage Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Seating
Bouclé, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Seating
Iron, Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Seating
Leather, Sheepskin, Cotton, Foam
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Faux Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather
1960s Vintage Seating
Chrome
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Pine
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
1980s European Vintage Seating
Fabric
Late 20th Century Italian Louis XVI Seating
Upholstery, Lacquer
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Birch, Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Walnut, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Nickel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Stainless Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1980s European Vintage Seating
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Seating
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Seating
Stainless Steel
20th Century British William IV Seating
Damask
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Walnut
2010s Brazilian Seating
Teak
2010s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Seating
Brass
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Country Seating
Poplar, Pine
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
2010s Australian Seating
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Seating
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood, Wood, Oak
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.
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.