Best of mid-century style armchairs

I get quite a few messages asking me where I got my mid-century armchair in my living room from. It’s an eBay buy, one of those lucky finds that you come across so rarely. It was a bargain at about £150 and I had to fix the seat myself. It’s got such a clean, simple silhouette, inspired by Scandinavian modernism (there’s no date or label on it so I can’t be sure where it’s from) and it’s probably the comfiest seat in the house.

eBay can be a bit hit and miss, and it’s certainly a patient waiting game to find the right thing you’re looking for. But not every one has the time to scroll endlessly through sites sourcing vintage designs, nor know where to look beyond the obvious places online. So I thought I would do the hard work for you and compile together 10 of the best mid-century style armchairs out there.

before and after living room makeover - light grey walls - painted white floors — My favourite mid-century armchair, sourced from eBay, in my living room

before and after living room makeover - light grey walls - painted white floors - mid-century armchair — A classic, timeless shape

I’ve tried to cater for all budgets, there’s contemporary takes on mid-century chairs from high-street stores and more expensive, original designs from specialist vintage shops. They’re all, of course, of a similar style, with predominantly grey seats and gorgeous, tactile, wooden arms. Take your pick:

best of mid century armchairs — 1: Mid-Century Armchair by Hartmut Lohmeyer for Wilkhahn, Pamono, £1,016, 2: Vintage chair, Vinterior, £400, 3: Velvet Kempton chair, Debenhams, £220.50, 4: H. Lis Fox Easy Chair Wool, Rose & Grey, £725, 5: 366 Concept Bunny Armchair Velvet Collection, tea and kate, £580, 6: Karina armchair, Swoon Editions, £429, 7: Bailey armchair, Swoon Editions, £449, 8: EKENÄSET in Isunda grey, IKEA, £150, 9: Aarhus Mid Century Armchair – Ecru, Rose & Grey, £750, 10: Pyla armchair, Maisons du Monde, £376.50

One design that catches my eye is the Bunny armchair, because I haven’t come across much Polish mid-century design before. It’s a re-edition by Polish brand 366 Concept of the classic chair type 300-177, which takes its name from the characteristic armrests shaped like a bunny’s ears. How cute is it?

Bunny Armchair, the most extravagant icon of Polish mid-century design. Reissued by 366 Concept in 2016. — Bunny Armchair, reissued by 366 Concept in 2016

H. Lis Fox Easy Chair Wool - four colours available - Rose & Grey — H. Lis Fox Easy Chair Wool, available in four colours from Rose & Grey

The armchair above is a lovely, classic shape; I love the little brass details. It’s also a revival of a classic by 366 Concept, this time the 300-190 Fox Easy Chair designed by H.Lis. Each piece is hand-finished by a team of specialists in Poland and is available in Bottle Green, Mustard, Grey Black and Sand, and denim and velvet.

My favourite, though, is Rose & Grey’s Aarhus armchair (below), I love the curved, cocooning back and the swooping armrests. It has a solid ash wood frame and also comes in grey.

Do any of these catch your eye?

All images from respective brands. Top two images: Cate St Hill

You might also like...