Emerging in reaction to industrialization and mass production, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handcrafted design as a part of daily life. The history of Arts and Crafts furniture has roots in 1860s England with an emphasis on natural motifs and simple flourishes like mosaics and carvings. This work is characterized by plain construction that showcases the hand of the artisan.

The earliest American Arts and Crafts furniture dates back to the start of the 20th century. Designers working in this style in the United States initially looked to ideas put forth by The Craftsman, a magazine published by Wisconsin native Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and founder of the Craftsman style. Stickley’s furniture was practical and largely free of ornament. His Craftsman style drew on French Art Nouveau as well as the work he encountered on his travels in England. There, the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement included William Morris, who revived historical techniques such as embroidery and printed fabrics in his furnishings, and Charles Voysey, whose minimal approach was in contrast to the ornamentation favored in the Victorian era.

American Arts and Crafts work would come to involve a range of influences unified by an elevation of traditional craftsmanship. The furniture was often built from sturdy woods like oak and mahogany while featuring details such as inlaid metal, tooled leather and ceramic tiles. The style in the United States was led by Stickley, whose clean-lined chairs and benches showcased the grain of the wood, and furniture maker Charles Rohlfs, who was informed by international influences like East Asian and French Art Nouveau design.

Hubs in America included several utopian communities such as Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony in New York, where craftspeople made furniture that prioritized function over any decoration. Their work would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, who built some of the most elegant and iconic structures in the United States and likewise embraced a thoughtful use of materials in his furniture.

Find antique Arts and Crafts chairs, tables, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Side-chairs for You

Antique and vintage side chairs are space savers by design and wonderfully versatile pieces of seating for your dining room or wherever guests may gather.

Chairs have been indispensable pieces of furniture for a long time. We sit, therefore we deserve good seating. In Ancient Egypt, chairs were utilized in homes regardless of class, and most furniture was made of wood. Comfortable folding chairs, for example, were found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Chairs evolved to be more commonplace in the 1830s, and by the Industrial Revolution, they could be found in most homes. The traditional wooden side chair might feature an upholstered back and seat and was typically used for gathering around a big dining room table. Because the side chair does not feature armrests, it could easily be tucked under the table when not in use or delicately placed in a corner for decorative purposes. Today, the side chair’s slim silhouette and armless design still offer the same level of versatility as it did in its early days. It’s supportive of a large gathering for a meal in the dining room or kitchen and serves as an accent piece (or extra seating) resting against the wall in a living room or inviting foyer.

When shopping for side chairs, think about the colors and furniture style you’ve already introduced to your living room or dining room. Keep the height of your sofa in mind, for example. If you intend to pair your sofa with your side chair when it’s not perched near the dining table, it wouldn’t hurt if the height of your side chair matches the height of your sofa. Even if your side chair will largely be used in the kitchen or dining room, it will likely be used in the living room or home entertainment area as well. When you’re thinking about the seating where meals are served in your home, benches, stools and armchairs make suitable alternatives too. And if you’re feeling adventurous, combining a variety of dining room seating options can be both aesthetically pleasing and downright practical.

Side chairs are available in a number of styles today, and this convenient seating is one of the types of chairs you should know when furnishing your new home. Explore antique and vintage side chairs on 1stDibs. Find Art Deco side chairs and mid-century modern side chairs, or search by creator to find side chairs crafted by legendary designers like Charles and Ray Eames and others.