Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know About Vintage Chairs

When it comes to decorating, most people think of wall art, rugs, table linens—all the tiny details that make a house a home. But just because a piece of furniture is functional, doesn’t mean it has to be boring! Instead of settling for the first set of armchairs you see, consider shopping for unique antique chairs instead.  

Pull up a seat, relax, and learn about the most popular styles of vintage chairs on the market. Who knows, you may walk away with newfound inspiration for your own interior design!

Why are Vintage Chairs Better Than Modern Ones?

Antique chairs are more than functional—they’re art. Whether you’ve always preferred maximalist décor or are recently embracing the coastal grandmother aesthetic, vintage chairs allow you to put your own personal spin on your home décor.

Vintage chairs are known for their superior craftsmanship. With centuries-old tried and true construction methods and durable materials, antique chairs found at vendor malls in Highland are almost always in amazing condition. Stools, sofas, and barrel chairs from back in the day were built to last—and they’ll continue to do so.

Shopping for unique chair styles at our Algonquin antique mall is the most eco-friendly alternative to buying brand-new. Though it seems small, the act of buying a secondhand vintage chair will reduce landfill waste, prevent further deforestation, and help lower the need for new furniture production. Whenever you need a new barrel chair or armchair, do your duty to Mother Earth and shop existing designs first.  

The Difference Between Vintage and Antique Chairs

When you shop for chair styles at an antique mall near Orlando, you’ll see the words “vintage” and “antique” in tandem with certain designs—but what’s the difference? In short, vintage chairs will have been constructed anywhere from 20 to 99 years ago, while antique chairs must be at least 100 years old.

Pro tip: Decorating with vintage designs is all the rage right now—and we’re loving it! However, as the demand increases, more and more modern furniture designers are taking advantage of the trend and releasing their own retro-inspired pieces. To avoid purchasing a fake, make sure you authenticate the chair style before you take the armchair or barrel chair home with you.  

How to Identify Vintage Chairs

If you buy from a reputable vendor, there’s a good chance that they will have already determined the era in which it was made. But, if you come across an unlabeled chair style in the wild, you’ll have to identify its age for yourself! Here’s how:

Start by Determining the Era

When it comes to antique chairs, every single design element is a clue! Each furniture era is known for certain characteristics, whether that be carving styles, materials used, or upholstery. Certain eras fetch a higher price than others, so understanding where and when your armchair was made will be the key to finding its true value.  

Most Collectible Design Eras for Antique Chairs

Each furniture style is known for its own design elements. These tiny, minute details can help you tell different decades apart and find the perfect chair style for you. The most popular eras include:  

• Queen Anne (1702-1714): features walnut wood, subtle ornamentation, and curved lines, and is comfortable and practical

• Georgian (1714-1830): features mahogany wood, rich velvets and damask upholstery, ornamentation and carvings, and cabriole legs

• Rococo (1730-1760): features lighter woods (oak, beech, and cherry), ornate nature motifs, and lacquered surfaces, and is often gilded or painted

• Chippendale (1750-1780): features sturdy wood (mahogany or cherry), cabriole legs, ball-and-claw feet, and intricately carved chair backs

• Hepplewhite (1775-1900): features satinwood and maple wood, understated

• embellishments, slender legs, and a graceful silhouette

• Sheraton (1780-1820): features mahogany and tulipwood, rectangular backs, brass hardware, and subtle patterns made from veneers and inlays

• Victorian (1837-1901): features dark woods (rosewood and walnut), ornate nature-inspired carvings, curved arms, balloon-shaped backs, and plush upholstery

• Edwardian (1901-1910): features lighter woods (oak, beech, or satinwood), delicate details, refined carvings, and inlaid accents, and prioritizes comfort and function

• Arts and Crafts (1890-1920): features solid wood (typically oak or chestnut), exposed joinery, clean lines, and hammered metal accents

• Art Deco (1925-1939): features luxurious materials (velvet, leather, and zebrawood), bold geometric patterns, and striking color contrasts

• Mid-Century Modern (1945-1970): features a mix of natural woods (walnut and teak) and modern materials (metal, plastic, and vinyl), streamlined aesthetics, and minimal ornamentation, and is designed to be practical for everyday use

Look for the Maker’s Mark

Many handcrafted chair styles still feature their original maker’s marks, a kind of stamp or label, that contains the details for when, where, and who made the piece. These are often found on the seat’s underside, chair back, or hidden on the inside of the frame. Once you locate the maker’s mark, you’ll have the valuable information needed to determine the date of manufacture.

Consider Craftsmanship and Construction

Construction techniques are a dead giveaway for whether a chair style is antique, vintage, or modern. Older armchairs and barrel chairs were typically handcrafted. These special pieces will often feature hand-cut joints, such as a dovetail, subtle asymmetries, and uneven nail spacings. Machine-made chair styles will look completely uniform—but what’s the fun in that?

Once you’ve looked at the overall construction, narrow in on the types of hardware used. Antique chairs may feature hand-forced nails or rose-head screws. Older chair styles feature brass, copper, cast iron, and steel components in the decorative details and hinges.

Joining Techniques Found in Antique Chairs:

Dovetail: interlocking, hand-cut joints often used to secure the corners of chair styles

Dowel: wooden pins used to join two pieces of wood together

Mortise and tenon: a joint involving a projecting piece of wood (the tenon) that fits perfectly in the hole of another piece of wood (the mortise)

Knap: a machine-made joint used in the earliest example of widely produced chair styles

15 Popular Chair Styles Through the Ages

It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the market for a new set of dining room chairs or an accent armchair for your bedroom—you can find all these chair styles and more at a Melbourne antique mall! Discover the history of 15 of the most popular chair styles, in alphabetical order, to find your perfect fit:

1. Armchairs

First emerging in the 19th century, the armchair is a comfortable, cushioned design with supportive armrests on both sides. These can vary in height, width, and silhouette, and remain a popular choice for bedrooms and living room setups. Curl up with a good book, a hot tea, and get cozy with a good armchair!   

Favorite Armchair Materials:

• Leather

• Cotton

• Linen

• Velvet

• Chenille

2. Bar Back Chairs

A bar back chair is one of the tallest chair styles, featuring a high, open back and height suited for sitting at a counter. Certain original 19th-century designs even feature a footrest for ultimate relaxation! If you have an at-home bar or a kitchen island, consider scooping up a couple of these antique chairs.

3. Barrel Chairs

Barrel chairs are best categorized by a high, rounded back that curves into two armrests. Though it first gained traction in the early 19th century, the barrel chair had a resurgence in the ‘30s during Frank Lloyd Wright’s time. Plush, cozy, and low to the ground, barrel chairs are the perfect way to elevate your reading nook!

4. Barcelona Chairs

The first Barcelona chair was designed in 1929 by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and found a second resurgence in the mid-20th century. Known for its X-shaped frame and button-tufted cushions, this chair style is a sophisticated addition to any modern home. It’s often upholstered in leather, suede, or fabric, with some original cushions coming from a single cowhide!

5. Balloon Back Chairs

Balloon back dining chairs are characterized by their rounded, balloon-shaped backs, formed by a narrow waist and wider top. With influences from the Rococo revival, this Victorian-era chair style is the perfect way to add a rustic look to your dining table or breakfast nook.

6. Bergère Chairs

The Bergère chair is a popular upholstered French type of armchair with a deep, comfortable seat, supportive back, and exposed carved wooden frame. The cushions and armrests tend to be made out of velvet or silk, lending a luxurious look to any room they’re placed in. This 18th-century chair style was designed for lounging—once you sit in one, you’ll see why!

7. Button Back Chairs

Button-back chairs are a type of upholstered armchair with buttons sewn along the backrest. Each button is punched through the fabric and cushioning, creating a textured, tufted effect. With an attention-grabbing look, this chair style makes the perfect accent chair for any space, from the dining room to the living room.

8. Chaise Lounges

When you combine some of the most popular chair styles with the comfort of a couch, you get the chaise lounge! With an elongated seat, curved shape, and a backrest on one end, the chaise lounge is the perfect way to introduce rest and relaxation into your space. Consider adding a 16th-century-inspired chaise to your sunroom, bedroom, or walk-in closet for ultimate luxury!

9. Club Chairs

Club chairs are a type of leather upholstered armchair known for their deep seats, wide armrests, and low backs. First made popular in gentlemen’s clubs, club armchairs are perfect for your at-home man cave!

10. Dining Chairs

When you shop for antique furniture in Indiana, you’ll find that many chair styles are deemed “dining chairs”—but what does that really mean? The truth is, dining chairs can vary in style and material, but they all share one common function: providing guests a place to sit around the table during mealtime. Some people prefer a wooden traditional style, while others love the look of contemporary upholstered barrel chairs.  

Design Elements to Consider When Choosing Dining Chairs:

• Armrests: Some prefer chairs to have two armrests, while others prefer an armless look (sometimes called a side chair)

• Back height: In general, the higher the back, the more formal the chair style

• Swivel: In some vintage chairs, the seat can swivel, increasing maneuverability

11. Egg Chairs

First designed by Arne Jacobsen, the Egg chair has been popular since the late 1950s. The iconic curved shape creates an enclosed, cocooning form that provides a sense of security to whoever is sitting in it. Over the years, multiple versions of the Egg chair have been released, including the completely circular Egg Pod chair and the hanging Egg chairs, which are suspended from a metal stand or the ceiling.

12. Penny Chairs

With all the same design details, including armrests, backrests, and padded seats, mid-century modern penny chairs and armchairs are essentially the same, with one distinct difference. The size! In general, penny chairs are small, making them perfect for filling the empty corner of your living room or your kids’ bedroom.

13. Rocking Chairs

Rocking chairs have the same top-half silhouette as a standard dining chair, with large armrests, a slat-back, and sturdy seat. The only difference? Two curved bands are attached to the bottom of the legs that allow for a back-and-forth motion. Rocking chairs have been popular since the early 1800s and remain a popular vintage chair option for the porch, baby nurseries, and reading rooms!

Pro tip: If you prefer the look of a barrel chair, but still want that motion, you’re in luck! Some vintage chair manufacturers combined the two—all you need to do is hunt one down.

14. Shield-Back Chairs

Born out of the Hepplewhite era, the shield-back chair is aptly named! Rather than having the traditional straight-up and down slats, the back of this vintage chair is shaped like a shield, with a curved top half and a pointed bottom. With a comfortable seat and opportunities for delicate embellishments and designs, the shield-back chair is the best way to add a little visual intrigue to your breakfast table.

15. Wainscot Chairs

Though they were most seen in colonial America, wainscot chairs remain one of the most collectible antique chairs on the market. When you browse your favorite Florida vendor mall, keep an eye out for a design that features a plank seat, sturdy armrests, a solid, paneled back, and carved decorative designs. Consider setting up this vintage chair in your foyer to provide your guests with a warm and stylish welcome.

Are Restored or Refinished Antique Chairs Still Valuable?

It’s important to note that the majority of antique chair collectors prefer the original, unrestored designs—especially if they’re found at the Algonquin vendor mall in good condition. But if a piece of antique furniture is badly damaged, a professional restoration can do wonders, increase its overall value, and make it more aesthetically pleasing to shoppers.

Pro tip: If the vintage furniture you find seems to be beyond repair, don’t abandon it! Plenty of crafty collectors will buy these less-than-beautiful designs and upcycle them. This can mean giving the entire antique chair a new paint job or stain, reupholstering the cushions, adding new hardware—the list goes on!

With countless chair styles to choose from, finding the perfect vintage chairs for your home is easy! Swing by America’s Antique Mall to discover all the beautiful designs for yourself.