Second Hand Mid Century Furniture: Vintage Classics of the 50s and 60s

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Mid century furniture comes from the years when modernism moved into the living room, roughly 1945 to 1970. At 2nd home you will find used and vintage mid century furniture: sideboards, chests of drawers, armchairs, chairs, dining tables and coffee tables, from well known designs to pieces from unknown workshops. As a style label, the author Cara Greenberg shaped the period in 1984 with her book Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s.

What is mid century modern?

Organic forms, clear function and an optimistic look ahead: the style does without ornament but not without impact. It combines influences from the Bauhaus, Scandinavian furniture making and American post-war modernism. Typical are teak, rosewood and walnut, moulded plywood, fibreglass, tubular steel and leather, with slender, often splayed legs. The core idea: good design in series, for many households rather than a few.

Why the style emerged

After the war, homes became smaller and families larger. Furniture had to be compact, serve several purposes and be made industrially. New materials from wartime production such as mouldable plywood and fibreglass made forms possible that had previously only been achievable by hand. This gave rise to shell chairs, light armchairs and sideboards that combine storage with comfort.

Designers who shaped the era

Charles and Ray Eames presented their fibreglass shell chairs in 1950 and the Lounge Chair with ottoman in 1956; more of their designs are under Charles and Ray Eames. Eero Saarinen designed the Tulip Chair for Knoll, Harry Bertoia the steel wire Diamond Chair in 1952; you will find both under Eero Saarinen and Knoll International. From Denmark came the Ant and the Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen and the Wishbone Chair by Hans J. Wegner, along with sideboards, chests and dining tables in teak and rosewood, which you will find under sideboards and dining tables. In Switzerland Max Bill designed tables for Wohnbedarf and stools for Horgenglarus, in Germany the kidney table and the cocktail chair belong to the fifties.

Furnishing with mid century today

Mid century style does not mean furnishing a room like a museum. A teak sideboard, a shell chair or an armchair of the period is often enough to give a room character, even next to new furniture. Towards the end of the era forms became rounder and colours brighter; our Space Age furniture collection shows this transition. Lamps of the period are under lamps, glass and ceramics under vases and tableware.

What to look for in used mid century furniture

Case furniture in teak and rosewood is often veneered, so deep scratches on edges and corners can only be sanded to a limited extent. Drawers and sliding doors should run smoothly. With shell chairs, check the mounting points between shell and base, with steel wire and chrome the welds for rust. Upholstery from the period has often been redone or soon will need to be. Licensed originals can be recognised, depending on the maker, by a label, embossing or stamp; if in doubt, ask for a photo of the underside. Every piece is described with condition, dimensions and photos.

Buying used mid century furniture: era, designers and woods

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Frequently asked questions and answers

What makes the mid-century interior style so special?

The style combines timeless elegance with functionality: clear lines, warm woods and iconic shapes create a homely, modern ambience – ideal for style-conscious interiors.

Which materials are typical for mid-century furniture?

Teak, rosewood, walnut, but also tubular steel, glass, and leather. Many designers of the time experimented with new materials such as fiberglass or plastic – for example, Verner Panton and Eames.

How do I best combine mid-century furniture?

Mid-century pieces can be perfectly combined withBauhaus design, Scandinavian minimalism or even contemporary furniture - ideal for eclectic looks with style.

How do I care for delicate wooden surfaces on vintage furniture?

Regular dusting with a soft cloth is usually sufficient. Oiled or waxed surfaces occasionally benefit from appropriate wood care – preferably residue-free and natural.

Are there any well-known mid-century furniture pieces that are particularly worth collecting?

Yes – for example theEames Lounge Chair, theEgg Chair by Arne Jacobsenor the Tulip series by Saarinen are true classics with collector value. ManyVitraandKnollOriginals are included.

  • curation, selection and active search

    Every product you find on 2nd home comes from our curation and quality process . This includes our vintage Vintage Mid-Century Furniture and Interior .

    Our team is constantly looking for trends and new items to offer you high-quality vintage and second-hand goods and plenty of inspiration.

    And if you are looking for something specific, you can contact us at any time.

  • Delivery

    At 2nd home you buy what already exists: our furniture , carpets , lights and decorative objects are available and ready to ship, with no production lead time as with new furniture. Another advantage when you buy vintage and second hand.

    For more information about shipping and delivery , see Returns & Refunds .

  • service

    At 2nd home we place great importance on quality and customer satisfaction. Sellers are selected by 2nd home, and every piece is described with its condition, dimensions and photos.

    If you have any questions, our customer service will help you You can find further information about our buyer protection, legal guarantee and right of return in our cancellation policy .

  • Pre-owned instead of new

    Every piece has already been made and stays in use; there is no new production.

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