Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Gerard van den Berg Oslo Leather Loveseat for Montis, 1970s
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed the Oslo loveseat for Dutch manufacturer Montis in the 1970s, pairing an organic, envelope-style leather cushion with a sculptural laminated plywood fram...
Leather, Laminate, Wood
Danish Midcentury Settee in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt, made circa 1950. Backrests and seats nice and firm and frame on stained beech legs r...
Wool, Beech
Danish Curved 'Banana' Sofa in Beech and Wool, Mid-Century 1940s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round organic lines and iconic drop shaped fe...
Beech, Wool
Danish 1940's Banana Sofa with Straight Back and Front
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming upholstered sofa made in Denmark sometime in the 12940's. Voluptuous organic design lines. This sofa is unique by having a straight back and front and not the curvatur...
Beech, Wool
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes Red Leather Amigo Loveseat sofa
By Ekornes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes 'Amigo' Redish burnt orange leather 2 seat loveseat sofa. Great vibrant Red soft leather tufted cushions and arm rests with solid Stained bi...
Leather, Foam, Birch
$1,680Sale Price|40% Off
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Red Leather loveseat Sofa oak Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful soft Red leather loveseat sofa oak legs. Beautiful Red leather is soft and shows signs of use but broken in nicely. Great small Danish Modern sofa...
Leather, Oak
De Sede DS42 Two-Seat Sofa in Original Natural Leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The De Sede DS42 is a two-seat sofa upholstered in thick, hand-stitched natural leather, produced by the Swiss manufacturer in the 1970s. The silhouette is low and compact, with a hi...
Leather
Fede Cheti Italian Velvet Loveseat
By Gio Ponti
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An Italian loveseat designed by Gio Ponti, upholstered in its original green Fede Cheti velvet with pewter fringe, and documented by architect and designer Roberto Aloi in 1950. An i...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Vintage Black Leather Cab 415 Settee by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exceptional early example of the iconic “CAB 415” settee designed by legendary Italian architect and furniture designer Mario Bellini for Cassina. Introduced in the late 1970s, th...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Banana Shaped Sofa, Beech & Wool, Denmark, 1940s
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round organic lines and iconic block feet nor...
Wool, Beech
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Bovenkamp Style Sofa in Ruby Red Velvet with Organic Dark Wood Arms
By Bovenkamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, three-seater sofa with organic carved dark wood arm rests and legs in a characteristic of the post-war style esthetic, reminiscent of the output of Dutch furniture...
Velvet, Wood
Danish Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat Early 1950s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa from the 1940s. Often called banana sofas by the Danes due to the curved shape. This sofa has slightly more straight backrest an...
Brass
Jasper Morrison 2-Seat Two-Tone Blue "Vega" Bench for Artifort with Chrome Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jasper Morrison 2-seater "Vega" bench for Artifort 1990's. In original two toned upholstered seats on a chrome wire frame. Seat width 22" each. Visible wear, consistent with age and ...
Chrome
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc. Model '6999' Loveseat, Chenille, 1950's
Located in Culver City, CA
What you're looking at is a suoer Vladimir Kagan Model 6999 loveseat ~ the shorter, more intimate sibling of the full 6999 sofa. Produced during what collectors consider the absolute...
Chenille, Walnut
Mid Century Danish Modern Small Red Leather loveseat Sofa oak Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful soft Red leather loveseat sofa oak legs. Beautiful Red leather is soft and shows little to no signs of use but broken in nicely. Great small Danis...
Leather, Oak
Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' Sofa in Natural Cognac Leather
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Corvette' sofa by Gerard van den Berg features a fully upholstered form in original cognac natural leather. Rounded, voluminous cushioning defines the silhouette — the seat, bac...
Leather
Danish 1940s Channel Back Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat in White Wool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa or loveseat in white wool fabric. This sofa has slightly taller legs indicating a production date closer to 1950 when taller leg...
Wool, Beech
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Settee Loveseat Bench by Salterini
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic wrought iron garden, patio, poolside loveseat, bench, sofa by Salterini. The sofa is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent wit...
Wrought Iron
$3,111Sale Price / item|30% Off
Marco Zanuso Attributed Mid-Century Modern Velvet Sofa Senior, Italy, 1950s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Senior 2 seater sofa from the 50s, the sofa is characterized by a tapered structure with brass feet. The sofa was completely restored some time ago, with light green velvet upholster...
Brass
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Dark Brown Leather 3 Seat Sofa nice patina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful Dark Brown leather 3 seat sofa Dark brown birch light wood legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Beautiful Brown leather is soft and shows signs of use b...
Leather, Birch
1970s Ray Wilkes Chiclet 2-Seater for Herman Miller
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Iconic MCM Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller "Chiclet" love seat or sofa. Named for the four large rectangular Chiclets gum-shaped foam elements that make up the sofa. Very comfortable, h...
Metal
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
De Sede DS44 Loveseat in Nutmeg Leather, Swiss Design, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Swiss manufacturer De Sede in the 1970s, the DS44 two-seat sofa is upholstered in thick nutmeg leather with vertical channel stitching running across the seat, backrest, ...
Leather
Beautiful Mid century Danish Modern tan Leather loveseat Sofa patina Stouby
By Børge Mogensen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great mid century Danish Scandinavian modern light tan leather loveseat sofa with Square beech wood stained frame and legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Nice thick light tan leather is s...
Leather, Beech
Midcentury Loveseat in the Manner of Frits Henningsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully refinished, 1950s loveseat with tapering legs newly reupholstered in button tufted upholstery.
Upholstery
Mid Century Olive Buffalo Leather and Rosewood Loveseat after Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in Lutz, FL
Handsome classic Olive buffalo Leather Loveseat styled after the Mexico sofa by Arne Norell Sweden, c.1960’s. Beautifully mottled patinated Olive Green loveseat with hints of brown, ...
Leather, Rosewood
Carlo Scarpa 'Cornaro' Love Seat in Iroko Wood for Simon, Italy, 1970's
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Carlo Scarpa 'Cornaro' Loveseat in Iroko Wood for Simon, Italy, 1970's Early production Cornaro sofa by Carlo Scarpa for Simon, Italy, 1973. This rare first version was crafted in s...
Fabric, Leather, Hardwood
Danish 1950's 3-seat sofa by To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super elegant sofa by Ole Wanscher for Cabinet maker A.J. Iversen ca. mid 1950's. Very elegant design raised on teak legs with stretchers (usually seen in Kaare Klint's fam...
Wool, Teak
Curved Banana Shape Loveseat or Sofa in Floral Wool, Denmark 1940s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Viggo Boesen style banana shaped or curved Loveseat made in Denmark, around late 1930s or early 1940s. This small sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round volup...
Wool, Beech
Percival Lafer Style Taupe Leather Bucket Chair by Leolux, 1970s
By Percival Lafer, Leolux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair attributed to Dutch manufacturer Leolux, designed in the manner of Brazilian designer Percival Lafer. The dark stained wood frame is built from thick, squared members in...
Metal
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern brown Leather loveseat Sofa round Legs Sigurd Resell Norway
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Scandinavian modern brown leather 2 seat sofa round legs. Beautiful brown soft leather is soft and shows sign...
Leather, Wood
Gerard van den Berg 'Ringo' Buffalo Leather Loveseat for Montis, 1979
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Ringo' loveseat is one of Gerard van den Berg's most recognized designs for Montis, distinguished by its fully rounded, continuous form where back, arms, and seat merge into one...
Leather
Organic Modern Twins Loveseat, DEDAR Chenille, Oak, Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple, Dedar
Located in Lisboa, PT
Organic Modern Twins Loveseat, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins loveseat and its matching daybed share the same genes, yet each mai...
Brass
Danish 1940's Loveseat with Open Wooden Armrest and Green Striped Wool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very charming loveseat from the 1940's in the style of Alfred Christensen. Maker and Designer is unknown but the style is very similar to designs by Fritz Hansen and Alfred Christens...
Wool, Beech
$2,207Sale Price|29% Off
Mid-Century Modern Italian Damask Velvet Corner Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Original Italian corner sofa from the 1950s, the upholstery is from the time, in damask velvet, in good condition but the intervention of the upholsterer is recommended.
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Chrome Framed Grey Velvet Loveseats Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of vintage 1970's chrome framed cantilevered loveseat sofas in the style of Milo Baughman and similar to seating groups of the period by Selig and Bernhardt's Flair division. T...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1970s Pencil Reed Loveseat in Off-White Bouclé Settee
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A sculptural pencil reed loveseat from the 1970s, newly upholstered in an off-white textured bouclé. This two-seat settee showcases the refined linearity of reed construction, paired...
Bamboo, Reed
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful Mario Bellini Le Bambole sofa, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s, newly upholstered in luxurious 100% alpaca. Marked on the underside. Fast shipping worldwid...
Alpaca
2 Pc. Garden Patio Poolside Sectional Loveseat by Meadowcraft
By Meadowcraft, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Charming two piece sectional loveseat sofa by Meadowcraft. The sofa consists of two seats, each with one armrest ( 22"H ), and when positioned together they form a loveseat. The set ...
Steel, Wrought Iron
$3,733Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jules Leleu Vintage Chairs in Wood and Green Leather
By Jules Leleu
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful set consisting of four wooden chairs designed in the 1930s by Jules Leleu, French manufacture. The chairs have very eccentric shapes, both hard geometric and soft and comfo...
Leather, Wood
Tobia Scarpa Coronado Sofas in Cognac Leather, B&B Italia, 1975, Italy
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 'Coronado' two seat sofas in beautiful cognac leather, designed by Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by the Italian firm, B&B Italia, circa 1975. The seating are made with a then revolutionary kind of molded polyurethane foam for excellent support and comfort. The 'Coronado', was the first ever seating to be built using this new technique: the foam molds were assembled around an iron frame, resulting in a sturdy yet extremely comfortable product. The present pair consists of the two seater sofas offered in their original cognac leather upholstery preserved in excellent condition. Labels affixed on both pieces read 'Coronado' designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. Afra and Tobia Scarpa designs were characterized by simplicity and elegance, accompanied with modern and refined aesthetics. During the 1960's, the couple designed the Bastiano sofa and the Vanessa bed...
Leather
Guillerme & Chambron Lounge Chair in Purple Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, lounge chair, oak, fabric, France, 1960s. This lounge chair or snug loveseat has a Classic Guillerme & Chambron style. It is bulky yet elega...
Fabric, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Chaise by Ris & Selldorf, Yellow Fiberglass, 1969
Located in Queens, NY
German Post-War Design (1969) "Sunball" yellow fiberglass spherical shaped adjustable chaise with brown cushions, pivoting tray and backlight on a round base. (RIS & SELLDORF)
Fiberglass, Upholstery
Two Seater Togo Sofa in White Leather by Ligne Roset, 1980s France
By Ligne Roset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic French two seater Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy for luxury brand Ligne Roset. Originally designed in the 1970s the iconic togo sofa is now a design classic. This sofa comes in ...
Leather
Ekornes Stressless Wave Lowback Contemporary Loveseat with Cori Vanilla Leather
By Ekornes, Ekornes Stressless
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An Ekornes Stressless Wave lowback loveseat. This lovely modern Danish sofa features very high quality materials and construction. This piece has a very sturdy wood and metal frame with a super clean cori vanilla leather outer upholstery. The cori leather is super soft and has a wonderful textured grain. The design of the loveseat has a classic Danish design, with round walnut legs and a very clean silhouette. Additionally, this sofa has a subtle reclining feature, which is as easy as leaning back and leaning forward. This piece is in very good condition. The Stressless tag can be found on one side of the sofa as pictured above. It measures 34 inches tall, 57 inches long, and 31 inches deep. It has a seat height of 18 inches, a seat depth of 18 inches, a back height of 18 inches, and an arm height of 6 inches. When reclined, it has an approximate depth of 38 inches. There are 2 matching sofas...
Leather, Wood
$2,250Sale Price|50% Off
Mogens Hansen Leather Sofa, Model #535 Danish Modern Mid Century 1970's
Located in Hudson, NY
Mid Century leather sofa by Mogens Hansen, model #535. This sofa features gently curved track arms with soft, refined silhouettes. It's finished in supple leather with a soft, sun wa...
Leather, Wood
Danish 1940s Curved Banana Form Settee or Sofa in Wool
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1940s curved loveseat /sofa raised on a beech frame and legs. These type of sofas was manufactured from the 30's and up through the early 50's. Sol...
Wool, Beech
Pair of Milo Baughman "Case" Walnut Floating Loveseats
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Matched pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Even Arm "Case" floating loveseats. Beautiful figured walnut shells sit upon the Classic Baughman square tubed Bases. Entire line of F...
Chrome
$5,895Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Sofa Set in Cognac Leather by Sapporo for Mobil Girgi, Italy, 1970s
By Sapporo, Mobil Girgi
Located in Catania, CT
Set of two armchairs and a three seater sofa designed by Sapporo for Mobil Girgi. Cognac leather. Original vintage condition with normal trace of age and use. Foam in perfect conditi...
Leather
Illum Wikkelsø V12 Danish Modern Sofa or Loveseat
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare two-seat sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Holger Christiansen in the 1960s in Denmark. Original leather. Rosewood legs. Common signs of wear, patina on leather th...
Leather
Banana Shaped Curved Loveseat or Sofa Covered in Lambswool Denamrk 1940's
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved two-seat sofa or loveseat made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room despite its smaller size. Beautiful...
Wool, Beech
Loveseat by Illum Wikkelso in Cognac Leather and Rosewood Denmark 1960's
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Danish Illum Wikkelso designed sofa in a light brown Buffalo leather. Raised on a base of rosewood giving the sofa richness and elegance. The perfect relaxed look of the 196...
Leather, Rosewood
Modern Cambridge Single Sofa in the Style of 1930's Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Cambridge Single Sofa, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Cambridge single sofa is a refined homage to the golden age of design from the ea...
Brass
Mid Century Vintage De Sede DS 76 leather Highback loveseat sofa
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Iconic Mid century Vintage De Sede DS 76 sofa loveseat very Dark Brown almost black leather with headrests Made in Switzerland circa 1970. Very High quality thick full grai...
Leather, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø Model 380 Danish Leather Loveseat, 1970's
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Illum Wikkelsø for A. Mikael Laursen Aarhus, the Model 380 loveseat features a solid oak frame with rounded legs and rails, lightly refinished to a warm medium-brown tone...
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cork and Chrome Settee
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates mid century cork and chrome settee The settee measures: 57.5 wide x 35.5 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height of 22 ...
Chrome
Two Cassina Maralunga two-seat sofas in blue leather by Vico Magistretti, Italy
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Iconic set of two Maralunga two-seat sofas designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, one of the most celebrated Italian seating designs of the late 20th century. Introduced in 1973, ...
Leather
Danish Mid Century Leather Sofa By Mogens Hansen Circa 1960's
Located in Hudson, NY
Luxurious leather sofa with darker piping accents by Mogens Hansen. This sofa features gently sloping track arms with austere and refined silhouettes. It's finished in supple leather...
Leather, Wood
Le Mah Jong Modular Sofa Hans Hopfer Roche Bobois Missoni Silk Velvet, Corduroy
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Missoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mah Jong modular sofa set by Hans Hopfer, designed in 1971 for Roche Bobois and in a current customized mix of textiles from Sonia Rykiel and the house of Missoni. Features multiple cushions that can be arranged in endless number of ways Mix and match and stack (or don’t) at your leisure! This set includes four square cushions (paprika, orchid, crimson and stripes) as well as two adjustable height straight backs (purple corduroy and floral). Also included are a set of 5 Missoni cushions...
Silk, Velvet
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Loveseat Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Two seater loveseat designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin in original Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera fabric. The channeled and flared arms hug the seat cushions. Evan arm tuxedo ...
Fabric