Midcentury Leather Sofa
Mid-20th Century Italian Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Loveseats
Leather
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Faux Leather, Cane, Ash
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Leather
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Beech
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Wood
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Suede
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Faux Leather
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Faux Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Swedish Victorian Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Bamboo
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1940s English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1980s Danish Modern Sofas
Leather, Beech
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rattan
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Sofas
Chrome
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Midcentury Leather Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Midcentury Leather Sofa?
A Close Look at Mid-Century Modern Furniture
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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 legendary 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.
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.
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.
- Can I dye a leather sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Yes, you can dye a leather sofa. To do so, you must typically begin by sanding down the upholstery, oiling it and then applying dye. Because there is a risk that you could damage your sofa, you may wish to enlist the help of a professional upholsterer or furniture repair expert. Find a variety of leather sofas on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a few different types of leather that are great for sofas - royalin, full grain and top grain leather. In terms of style and comfort, it really comes down to a matter of preference. You’ll find a variety of leather sofa options from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The best type of leather for a sofa is top grain leather, which is smooth, supple and the most expensive. Top grain has two grades — aniline, which is most natural and semi-aniline, which may be coated with a protective top coat. You can also have top grain leather that is pigmented. If you are looking for some contemporary, vintage and antique leather sofas, you can visit 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To tell if a sofa is real leather, run your hand along the upholstery. With real leather, you're likely to feel an uneven or bumpy underlayer due to the natural characteristics of the material. By comparison, man-made leather will usually feel perfectly smooth. The appearance of the leather can also be a giveaway. Natural leather will usually show off variations in its grain, while faux leather will typically have a regular repeated pattern. If you're still uncertain after completing an inspection yourself, consult a certified appraiser or experienced furniture dealer for assistance. Explore a large selection of leather sofas on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Full-grain and top-grain leather are both good quality-leathers for sofas. Full-grain leather consists of the full hide, making it durable yet supple and visually appealing. Top-grain leather is more economically priced and has the outermost layer of the hide sanded and buffed away, giving it a smoother texture and less of a visible grain. On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of leather sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022With Italian leather, you want to avoid getting the material wet. If you can, use a dry cloth or vacuum to remove dirt. For stains, use a damp cloth, but avoid chemical cleaners. Save the hassle and shop a collection of Italian leather furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021When choosing a leather sofa, it's important to consider the material's quality, especially if you're looking for an enduring item. Top-grain calfskin leather, for instance, is more durable and simpler to maintain than corrected-grain leather. Top-grain leather also softens with age and develops a unique sheen. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage leather sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Whether a leather sofa is a good investment depends on a variety of factors. The materials and quality of craftsmanship will affect how long a piece lasts, but how you care for and use it will also impact longevity. Forward-thinking design and sensuous materials are the hallmarks of 1970s-era leather seating, which feels as sexy, comfortable and radical today as it did in its heyday. Through joint research with several forward-looking furniture manufacturers into state-of-the-art industrial processes, designers of the original leather-clad beanbag chair Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro explored ways of employing polyurethane foam to serve as both cushion and structure, offering a whole new range of seating concepts. There is likely a leather sofa in everyone’s budget, but taking care of your investment is important. Unlike upholstery, the color of the leather sofa you choose won’t make a difference when it comes to regular maintenance. A damp cloth can be used to remove dust, for example. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of leather sofas from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024To tell a good-quality leather sofa, examine its details closely. The highest-end pieces will usually feature full-grain leather, which refers to a strong and durable grade of leather that retains its original grain surface (hair and imperfections are removed). What type of fill is present inside the cushions also impacts the quality, with spring seats with felt and wool and high-grade foam being featured in the best sofas. Finally, frames will typically be produced out of sturdy materials like wood and feature strong joints. Explore a large collection of sofas on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How long a leather sofa should last depends on its construction and materials. You can get a good idea of how long a particular sofa will last by looking at its warranty. Often, the leather upholstery wears out on a sofa before the frame. Find a range of leather sofas on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Burgundy pairs well with grey, turquoise, golden yellow, and umber. In addition, the warm-green tone contrasts beautifully with the burgundy leather furnishings. On 1stDibs, shop a range of vintage and antique leather sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The best choice for a wall color that goes with a caramel sofa depends on your preferences. Caramel is a mellow hue that embraces a diverse variety of color combinations. Some of the choices that may add to the visual appeal of your caramel sofa are beige, bluish pink, orange and teal. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary leather sofas from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
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