Brutalist Benches
BRUTALIST STYLE
The design of brutalist furniture encompasses that which is crafted, hewn and worked by hand — an aesthetic rebuke (or, at least, a counterpoint) to furniture that is created using 21st-century materials and technology. Lately, the word “brutalist” has been adopted by the realms of furniture design and the decorative arts to refer to chairs, cabinets, tables and accessory pieces such as mirror frames and lighting that are made of rougher, deeply textured metals and other materials that are the visual and palpable antithesis of the sleek, smooth and suave.
ORIGINS OF BRUTALIST FURNITURE DESIGN
- Brutalism emerged during the mid-20th century
- Term coined by architecture critic Reyner Banham
- Originated in the United Kingdom
- Brutalist architecture gained popularity in the United States beginning in the early 1960s
- Inaugural brutalist projects include Unité d'habitation and the city of Chandigarh, India, both of which owe to influential architect Charles-Édouard “Le Corbusier” Jeanneret
- Le Corbusier’s cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, designed hundreds of chairs, tables, cabinets and lamps for Chandigarh
- Informed by the Bauhaus, constructivism, modernism and the International Style; part of mid-century modernism
- Contrasted starkly with Beaux Arts style
CHARACTERISTICS OF BRUTALIST FURNITURE DESIGN
- Use of industrial materials — tubular steel, concrete, glass, granite
- Prioritizes functionalism, minimalism and utilization of negative space
- Spare silhouettes, pronounced geometric shapes
- Stripped-down, natural look; rugged textures, modular construction
- Interiors featuring airy visual flow and reliance on neutral palettes
BRUTALIST FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE BRUTALIST FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The term brutalism — which derives from the French word brut, meaning “raw” — was coined by architecture critic Reyner Banham to describe an architectural style that emerged in the 1950s featuring monumental buildings, usually made of unornamented concrete, whose design was meant to project an air of strength and solidity.
Le Corbusier essentially created the brutalist style; its best-known iterations in the United States are the Whitney Museum of American Art, which was designed by Marcel Breuer, and Paul Rudolph's Yale Art and Architecture Building. The severe style might have been the most criticized architectural movement of the 20th century, even if it was an honest attempt to celebrate the beauty of raw material. But while the brutalist government buildings in Washington, D.C., seemingly bask in their un-beauty, brutalist interior design and decor is much more lyrical, at times taking on a whimsical, romantic quality that its exterior counterparts lack.
Paul Evans is Exhibit A for brutalist furniture design. His Sculpture Front cabinets laced with high-relief patinated steel mounts have become collector's items nonpareil, while the chairs, coffee table and dining table in his later Cityscape series and Sculpted Bronze series for Directional Furniture are perhaps the most expressive, attention-grabbing pieces in American modern design. Other exemplary brutalist designers are Silas Seandel, the idiosyncratic New York furniture designer and sculptor whose works in metal — in particular his tables — have a kind of brawny lyricism, and Curtis Jere, a nom-de-trade for the California team of Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels, the bold makers of expressive scorched and sheared copper and brass mirror frames and wall-mounted sculptures.
Brutalist furniture and sculptures remain popular with interior designers and can lend unique, eccentric, human notes to an art and design collection in any home.
Find authentic vintage brutalist chairs, coffee tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Brutalist
Live Edge, Walnut
Oak Bench, Wabi-Sabi, Handmade, Contemporary, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique live edge bench made from walnut plank and charred oak legs. Protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Natural, eco-friendly and easy to ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood, Walnut
$1,245 Sale Price
30% Off
Sculptural Bench in Solid European Dark Brown Oak - Brut by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Solid Pine Wood Bench by Silvio Coppola for Fratelli Montina, Italy, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pine Wood; Bench; Simplicity; Italy; 1970s; Fratelli Montina; Silvio Coppola; Brutalist
Brutalist solid pine wood bench designed by Silvio Coppola for Fretelli Montina. A stunning...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood, Pine
Natural Solid Light Oak Bench - Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
“Big Iron” Bench, Iron, JAMES VINCENT MILANO, Italy, 2022
Located in Milano, IT
“Big Iron” Bench, Iron, JAMES VINCENT MILANO, Italy, 2022
Bench. Floating Seat.
Polished and brushed iron.
Engraved logo plaque in satiated brass.
Handcrafted in Cantù, Italy.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Iron
Wooden Bench Solid European Oak - Brut by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Bench in Solid European Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence bench is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved bench/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood, Oak
$704 Sale Price
46% Off
Modernist Solid Oak Wooden Fenestra Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Large Scandinavian Brutalist style bench, with backrest, in elm Olavi Hanninen.
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Stunning large Scandinavian bench with a backrest. Entirely handcrafted, like a sculpture, this elegantly rustic bench comfortably seats 3 or even 4 people. Clean design, beautifully...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Brutalist Benches
Materials
Elm
Pair of Scandinavian Brutalist style benches in solid elm, in the style of Olavi
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Stunning large Scandinavian benches. Entirely handcrafted, like sculptures, these elegantly rustic benches can each comfortably seat 3 or even 4 people. Clean design, beautifully cra...
Category
1960s French Vintage Brutalist Benches
Materials
Elm
Wooden Bench in Solid European Oak - Brut by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Handcrafted Warm Brown Oak Bench - Brut by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Spazzola Collectible Vulcano Cedar Bench by Fabio Lo Jacono For Riva1920
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The Spazzola Bench by Riva 1920 is an artistic and functional piece crafted from a single block of scented cedar, designed to provide both comfort and visual appeal. The bench featur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Iron
Scandinavian Wabi Sabi Bench and Sidetable Made Early 20th Century of Pine Wood
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Rustic Wabi Sabi bench made of solid washed and patinated pine wood.
It's made in the early 20th century by a Scandinavia carpenter.
Measures: height 57-58 cm
Length 120 cm
Width 46 cm
The bench is in good condition with fantastic signs of wear and daily use over many years.
The style goes well with Scandinavian ceramics...
Category
Early 1900s Danish Antique Brutalist Benches
Materials
Metal
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bench - Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Natural Solid Light Oak Bench - Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Bench, Wabi-Sabi, Brutalist, Rustic, Walnut, Organic, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique contemporary bench. Made from walnut in combination with steel and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood, Walnut
$1,334 Sale Price
25% Off
Brutalist Bench in Solid Oak Wood - Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Large Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bench - by Aad Bos for Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Sculptural Bench in Solid European Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence bench is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Contemporary Long Bench
Antic
Style by Soha Concept, Solid Oak, Dark
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench by Soha Concept
Sculpted wood (solid oak)
Finish: hammered, dark
[Suitable for outdoor use]
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Fenestra Bench - By Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table or Bench #8 in Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil)
Measures: 45 x 140 x 28 cm.
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
Solid Oak Sculptural Bench - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence bench is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
Large Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Cadence Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence bench is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Fenestra Bench in Warm Brown
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Large Sculptural Solid Oak Wood Fenestra Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Solid Oak Wood Fenestra Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Fenestra Bench in Warm Brown
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Architectural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist bench, inspired by the spirit of Olavi Hänninen.
Located in LYON, FR
Maison Lecan presents this brutalist bench, inspired by the spirit of Olavi Hänninen.
Its elm veneer seat, resting on a solid elm base, features a minimalist silhouette, typical of ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Brutalist Benches
Materials
Elm
Rare bench attributed to Zanine Caldas
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Really nice bench attributed to Zanine Caldas, in massive pegui wood and skin.
Gorgeous pièce of the brasilian design and the handwork of the designers of this country.
Category
1960s South American Vintage Brutalist Benches
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood
Brutalist Bench in Solid European Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence bench is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
Contemporary Brutalist Style Massive Bench in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Denis Milovanov, Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive bench made of solid oak (+ linseed oil)
(Outdoor use OK)
Measures: 300 x 70 x 35 cm
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
In the Taste of Alexandre Noll Live Edge Blackened Side Tables/ Benches
Located in North Miami, FL
In the Taste of Alexandre Noll. This pair of live edge, brutal style tables or benches, stained in a dark black matte finish. Perfect as side tables or additional bench seating.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Antic Style Bench in Solid Oak, Dark,
Custom Size
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench
Sculpted wood (solid oak)
Finish: hammered, dark
[Suitable for outdoor use]
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Brut Slim Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut Slim...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N6 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table in solid oak (+ linseed oil)
(Outdoor use OK)
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in sol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
$5,929 / item
Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Cadence Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence bench is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Wabi Sabi Bench, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic 19th-century French folk art bench, showcasing a charming primitive character. Constructed from sturdy dark wood, the bench boasts a rich patina that speaks to its age and his...
Category
19th Century French Antique Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood
Large Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Brut Slim Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut Slim...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Private Sale for Malusa Sculpted Bench or Side Table N10 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table in solid oak (and linseed oil)
(Outdoor use OK)
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic st...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N10 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table of solid oak (+ linseed oil)
(Outdoor use OK)
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic sty...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
$5,929 / item
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N7 in Solid Oak Wood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table of solid oak (+ linseed oil)
(Outdoor use OK)
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative object...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
$5,929 / item
Vintage French Black Wooden Bench Raised on Metal Feet Brutalist Period
Located in Sofia, BG
Exceptional piece representing Brutalist period - a black bench made of single piece of wood raised on a hand made metal structure with raw finish...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Benches
Materials
Metal
$3,087 Sale Price
24% Off
Set of Four Brutalist Wooden Benches, France 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Derived from the French "brut", meaning raw, Brutalism describes the architectural style that emerged in the mid-20th century, featuring minimalist constructions that showcase bare m...
Category
1960s French Vintage Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood
Solid Elmwood Benches by Olavi Hanninen for Mikko Nupponen
Located in Voorburg, NL
Beautiful solid brutalist Bench made of Elmwood attributed to Olavi Hanninen, for Miko Nupponen, Finland,1950’s. The bench is characterized by its raw concrete and stark, geometric f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Brutalist Benches
Materials
Elm
Bench, made of lava stone and solid wood by Ricardo Rodríguez Elías
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This striking bench features two robust bases sculpted from a single monolithic block of lava stone, their well-defined geometric forms evoking the grandeur of architecture. Resting ...
Category
2010s Mexican Brutalist Benches
Materials
Lava
Vintage Boho Primitive Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Evoke a sense of rugged artistry and singular character with this extraordinary vintage primitive bench. Its most striking feature is the robust, repurposed barrel-like element formi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Brutalist Benches
Materials
Wood
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N13 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table in solid oak (and linseed oil)
(Outdoor use OK)
Custom size
SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
$5,929 / item
Contemporary Live Edge Style Bench in Solid Oak
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
Contemporary Live Edge Style Bench in Solid Oak
Transform your space with the natural beauty and modern design of our Contemporary Live Edge Style Bench in Solid Oak. This stunning ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Brutalist Benches
Materials
Oak
$1,138 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Brutalist benches for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Brutalist benches for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist benches made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and Caucasus pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include Sóha, Denis Milovanov, Nima Abili, and NONO. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $740 and tops out at $31,280 while the average work can sell for $4,932.
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