Midcentury Modern Sectional
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Suede
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Plastic, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Textile, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Oak
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Cord, Plastic, Beech
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Canvas, Oak
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wicker, Rattan
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wicker, Rattan
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Plywood
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Canvas, Oak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Oak, Mohair, Foam
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Felt, Beech
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Glass, Plexiglass, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Mohair, Foam, Latex, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Brass
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Rattan
- 1
- ...
Midcentury Modern Sectional For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Midcentury Modern Sectional?
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 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.
Finding the Right Sectional-sofas for You
An antique, new or vintage sectional sofa is a versatile and practical style of seating that makes for a great addition to your living space.
A traditional sofa is typically a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people, whereas a sectional sofa consists of multiple pieces that can be arranged in several different layouts. While a conventional couch or sofa can definitely seat a fixed number of houseguests, sectional sofas allow for customizing. We all know that maximizing your square footage in a small space can prove difficult, so the modular characteristics of sectional sofas are especially appealing when you’re thinking about design ideas for your modest-sized living room. This furnishing can be arranged in a semicircle, an L-shape or other configuration and will seat more people than a standard sofa will.
When it comes to home decor, the trick is to find a balance between functionality and style. Sectional sofas are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and fabric options, so you’re sure to find one that perfectly complements your interiors and needs. But there are several factors to consider when choosing the perfect sectional sofa for your space.
According to Charleston designer Angie Hranowsky, “the most important thing to know when choosing the perfect sofa is its purpose. Is it for conversation or for watching TV and lounging? Then you can determine the right depth and seat height.”
The size of your sectional sofa will depend on how much real estate you’re working with in your living room and exactly how you use the space. If you’re trying to define a common area in your sprawling loft apartment or you’ve got a large family to think about, a large, sleek contemporary sectional or sculptural sectional sofa designed by Milo Baughman, say, could be ideal for comfort as well as a conversation piece, particularly if you intend to entertain with regularity. Think about seat height and depth — high seats, for example, can yield an air of formality that might not be a great fit for your crowd.
For movie nights, holiday parties or the occasional but totally fabulous dinner party, a large sectional sofa means getting multiple uses out of a singular piece of seating. In smaller rooms, it might make sense to position your small sectional sofa against the wall, whereas in a wide-open space, the sofa’s components can occupy the center of the room. Measure accordingly and make sure your doorways can accommodate on delivery day.
Bring comfort and class to your living space with a sectional sofa from the world’s best dealers on 1stDibs. For your mid-century modern-inspired living room, find fun spage-age sectional sofas, chic leather sectional sofas and a range of vintage mid-century sectional sofas designed by the likes of Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan and others.
- What is midcentury modern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Organic shapes, clean lines and elegant simplicity describe mid-century modern American furniture well. The style, which emerged primarily in the post-World War II era, is characterized by furniture that was crafted by creators who believed that good design was key to good living.Today, mid-century modern is by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair Shook Modernism and Charmed Hollywood
The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.
Herman Miller Got Its Start in the Office, but Its Legacy Is in the Home
The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.
May’s Most Popular Interiors on Instagram
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the rooms our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
April’s Most-Liked Interiors on Instagram
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
See How New York City Designers Experiment on Their Own Homes
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
New Orleans’ Lee Ledbetter Makes Design Magic by Mixing Past and Present
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.