Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.
$2,205 / item
Bock Bench 90 by Frau Caze
Located in Geneve, CH
Bock Bench 90 by Frau Caze Dimensions: D 41 x W 90 x H 75 cm. Materials: Oiled oak. Available in 53, 90, or 120cm width. Please contact us. Standing Bench Bock achieves a new way o...
Oak
$1,925 / item
Bock Bench 53 by Frau Caze
Located in Geneve, CH
Bock Bench 53 by Frau Caze Dimensions: D 41 x W 53 x H 75 cm. Materials: Oiled oak. Available in 53, 90, or 120cm width. Please contact us. Standing Bench Bock achieves a new way o...
Oak
$4,876 / item
Bench by Donatas Zukauskas
Located in Geneve, CH
Bench by Donatas Zukauskas Dimensions: D 80 x W 100 x H 45 cm. Materials: Oak, and mixed material. Donatas Žukauskas Hello, my name is Donatas Žukauskas, I am an interior designer. ...
Other
$4,876 / item
Bench SB 01 by Tomasz Omachel
Located in Geneve, CH
Bench SB 01 by Tomasz Omachel Dimensions: D 48 x W 106 x H 74 cm. Materials: European Walnut, Brass. A meticulously crafted wooden bench features a combination of two round and two...
Brass
$22,797 / item
Bollbänk Mahogany Bench by Studio TOOJ
Located in Geneve, CH
Bollbänk Mahogany Bench by Studio TOOJ Designed by Johan Wilén Dimensions: D 55 x W 200 x H 43 cm. Materials: Mahogany wood. A true testament to the desig...
Mahogany
$8,983 / item
Liquid Colour Bench by Hillsideout
Located in Geneve, CH
Liquid Colour Bench by Hillsideout Dimensions: W 216 x D 46 x H 45 cm. Materials: Handcrafted Amazonian woods (Jequitiba, Roxinho, Muirapiranga, Cedro, Catuaba, Freijo), Acrylic, Col...
Acrylic, Wood, Resin
$2,333 / item
Chocolate Brown Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 147 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte)...
Other
$2,333 / item
Dove Grey Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 147 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte) versi...
Other
$2,333 / item
Argil Grey Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 147 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte) vers...
Other
$3,208 / item
Malva Green Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte...
Other
$3,208 / item
Flame Red Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte) ...
Other
$3,208 / item
Jet Black Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte) ...
Other
$3,208 / item
Saffron Yellow Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/ma...
Other
$3,208 / item
Sweet Fuschia Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuschia Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/mat...
Other
$3,208 / item
Dove Grey Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte) ...
Other
$3,208 / item
Chocolate Brown Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Wave Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/m...
Other
$1,166 / item
Classy Bench by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Classy Bench by Pastform Dimensions: D 44 x W 85 x H 42 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood, and upholstery. Available in different wood color finishes: Whiskey, Rum, BPA, Nob...
Wood, Upholstery
$5,588 / item
Copacabana Bench by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Copacabana Bench by Duistt Dimensions: W 130 x D 40 x H 66 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric Cushion, Black Limed Oak The Copacabana bench, crafted with great attention to detail is part ...
Fabric, Oak
$6,206 / item
Red Dawn Bench by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Red Dawn Bench by Duistt Dimensions: W 160 x D 50 x H 45 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric, Fur and Brass The DAWN bench, crafted with great attention to detail, is a statement design pie...
Brass
$3,208 / item
Milky White Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne Dimensions: D 92 x W 121 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in different color optio...
Other
Powder Blue Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 36 x W 124 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in differ...
Other
$3,208 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne Dimensions: D 92 x W 121 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in different color opt...
Other
$3,208 / item
Flame Red Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne Dimensions: D 92 x W 121 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in different color options...
Other
Pumpkin Orange Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 36 x W 124 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in dif...
Other
Sweet Fuchsia Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 36 x W 124 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in diff...
Other
Jet Black Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 36 x W 124 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in differen...
Other
Chocolate Brown Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 36 x W 124 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in di...
Other
Elephant Grey Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 36 x W 124 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in diff...
Other
Argil Grey Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey Enjoy Bench by Adriana Lohmann And Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 36 x W 124 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in differe...
Other
Malva Green Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 60 x W 108 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 11 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered vers...
Other
Lime Green Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 60 x W 108 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 11 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered versi...
Other
Powder Blue Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 60 x W 108 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 11 kg. Available in a sta...
Other
$1,750 / item
Jet Black Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 60 x W 108 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 11 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered versio...
Other
$1,750 / item
Flame Red Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Amélie Panchetta Bench by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 60 x W 108 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 11 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered versio...
Other
$2,391 / item
Chocolate Brown Amore Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Amore Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 38 x W 145 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered version. ...
Other
$2,391 / item
Saffron Yellow Amore Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow Amore Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 38 x W 145 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered version. P...
Other
$2,391 / item
Argil Grey Amore Bench by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey Amore Bench by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 38 x W 145 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered version. Price...
Other
$1,283 / item
Powder Blue Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color options...
Other
$1,283 / item
Milky White Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color options...
Other
$1,283 / item
Chocolate Brown Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color opt...
Other
$1,283 / item
Flame Red Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color options. ...
Other
$1,283 / item
Elephant Grey Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suitabl...
Other
$1,283 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color optio...
Other
$1,283 / item
Lime Green Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suitable f...
Other
$3,663 / item
Marmoset Bellini 1340 Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Marmoset Bellini 1340 Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 134 x W 54 x H 52.5 cm Materials: Timber / Upholstered tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 20 kg Frame Finishes: Textura ...
Steel
$2,438 / item
Sanguine Bellini 540 Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Sanguine Bellini 540 Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 54 x W 54 x H 52.5 cm Materials: Timber / Upholstered tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 12 kg Frame Finishes: Textura Pa...
Steel
$4,596 / item
Large Black Curved Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Black Curved Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 75 x W 200 x H 42 cm Materials: Mild steel, powder-coated with zinc undercoat. Weight: 44 kg Coco Flip is a Melbourne based furniture and lighting design studio, run by us, Kate Stokes...
Steel, Zinc
$4,468 / item
Small Pale Eucalypt Curved Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Pale Eucalypt Curved Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 65 x W 165 x H 42 cm Materials: Mild steel, powder-coated with zinc undercoat. Weight: 42 kg Coco Flip is a Melbourne ba...
Steel, Zinc
$4,468 / item
Small Black Curved Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Black Curved Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 65 x W 165 x H 42 cm Materials: Mild steel, powder-coated with zinc undercoat. Weight: 42 kg Coco Flip is a Melbourne based furn...
Steel, Zinc
$4,468 / item
Small Sunshine Yellow Curved Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Sunshine Yellow Curved Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 65 x W 165 x H 42 cm Materials: Mild steel, powder-coated with zinc undercoat. Weight: 42 kg Coco Flip is a Melbourne ...
Steel, Zinc
$3,546 / item
Tree Branches Long Bench by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Tree Branches Long Bench by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 42 x W 100 x H 48 cm. Materials: Mongolian Lamb fur Ref. White, hammered brass with patinated effect. 10 kg. Available in other finishes. The Tree Branches long bench is entirely handcrafted in brass with a hammered technique similar to the irregular details of real branches. The top in Mongolian Lamb fur completes this creation by evoking the wild side of nature. Thought to be unique but versatile, this bench fits either modern or rustic interiors and it is also available in brushed brass, copper or steel finish. Created by Architect Joana Santos Barbosa in 2012, InsidherLand is a Portuguese brand...
Brass
$2,835 / item
Tree Branches Bench by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Tree Branches Bench by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 42 x W 55 x H 48 cm. Materials: Mongolian Lamb fur Ref. White, hammered brass with patinated effe...
Brass
$15,983 / item
Awaiting M Bench by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Awaiting M Bench by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 42 x W 140 x H 59 cm. Materials: Brass and ori...
Brass
$14,758 / item
Untitled Bench by Henry D'ath
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled Bench by Henry D'ath Dimensions: D 200 x W 60 x H 195 cm Materials: Wood. Available finishes: Natural, Black Ink. Henry d’ath is a New Zealand-born, Hong Kong-based artis...
Wood
$4,620 / set
Set of 2 Stubbs Indoor Benches by Edvin Klasson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Stubbs indoor benches by Edvin Klasson Dimensions: D 120 x W 45 x H 60 cm Materials: Wooden frame, cold foam, painted steel and upholstery. ...
Steel
$29,248 / item
Limited Edition Gor Bench by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Gor bench by Arturo Verástegui Limited Edition of 10 Dimensions: D 40 x W 120 x H 40 cm Materials: wood, leather, bronze. Bench made of lacquered polished wood with bronce hand...
Bronze
$3,336 / item
Foot Bench by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Foot Bench by Project 213A Dimensions: W 140 x D 27 x H 30 cm Materials: Oak. This playful design is part of Project 213A's hand carved wooden "foot seri...
Oak
$5,973 / item
Galore 3 Seater Storm by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 Seater Storm by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D222 x W83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weight: 62 k...
Steel
$5,973 / item
Galore 3 Seater Terracotta by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 Seater Terracotta by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D222 x W83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weight:...
Steel
$5,973 / item
Galore 3 Seater Daffodil by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 Seater Daffodil by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D222 x W83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weight: 6...
Steel