Midcentury-modern décor, also known as MCM, has been around since, well, the mid-20th century—and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Though there are tons of ways to incorporate the design style into your home, a lounge chair is a great place to start.
"The functionality of a piece is as important as the aesthetics," says Rita Schulz, a Decorist designer. "This furniture style is also recognizable by its clean lines and often vibrant colors."
From recliners to woven designs and beyond, there are a variety of retailers and styles available to choose from. With pointers from Schulz in mind, we rounded up some seriously stunning pieces that'll rival the Mad Men set.
Here, the best mid-century lounge chairs.
Best Overall
Edloe Finch Adalyn Lounge Chair
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Edloe Finch
Dimensions: 28 x 33 x 33 inches | Materials: Oak, polyester blend
For a classic mid-century style, you can't go wrong with Edloe Finch's Adalyn Lounge Chair. Inspired by Danish Selig-style seating, this lounge chair flaunts laid-back elegance with an effortless yet practical charm.
The chair features bold arms and angled back legs that make for a stately presence. It's 33 inches deep with a high-density foam cushion and is made with a low-maintenance fabric upholstery you're sure to appreciate over time. Though the chair is a bit of an investment, it's made of a durable kiln-dried oak that ensures it'll last for years to come.
Best Budget
Sauder Boulevard Cafe Metal Cushioned Lounge Chair
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Home Depot
Dimensions: 28.36 x 26 x 26.75 inches | Materials: Metal, faux leather
If you're decorating on a budget, be sure to consider the Sauder Boulevard Cafe Chair. With a black powder-coated metal frame and a dependable design, the affordable design will add tons of style to your space.
The seat is offered in either faux leather or a fabric finish and in multiple colors—charcoal, camel, black, and gray. A slight angle on the back offers just the right amount of recline, adding an additional layer of comfort. Though it can make a statement on its own, the budget-friendly price point makes it easy to buy multiple for your home.
Best Splurge
Knoll Womb Chair
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Dimensions: 40 x 34 x 35.5 inches | Materials: Metal frame, leather, fabric
Knoll's Womb Chair is an investment piece that's sure to make a statement in your space. Designed to provide ultimate comfort, the chair's curved design is one you'll want to curl up in and lounge all day long.
The modern style includes a matching back cushion that adds additional comfort to the chair. Though the design is a splurge, it's offered in tons of fabrics, frame finishes, and colors, so you'll be able to find the perfect piece for your home.
Best Upholstered
Blu Dot Field Lounge Chair
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Blu Dot
Dimensions: 36 x 38 x 36 inches | Materials: Steel, polyester/linen, leather, velvet
If you're not sure which color and fabric would work best in your space, Blue Dot's Field Lounge Chair is a great option. The chair is made with a steel frame and is offered in a variety of fabrics and colors, making it easy to create the ideal piece for your home.
"The Field Lounge Chair by Blu Dot is a fantastic example of midcentury design," says Schulz. "This chair is classic and works with a wide variety of different décor styles."
Though it's a bit of an investment piece, the chair features soft curves, plush cushions, and a gentle recline, making the design as comfy and durable as it looks.
Best Leather
Industry West Alyson Lounge Chair
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Dimensions: 23.6 x 30.7 x 27.9 inches | Materials: Wood frame, leather or velvet upholstery
For those who prefer genuine leather, the Alyson from Industry West is a great option. Combining midcentury practicality with the inherent warmth of Scandinavian design, this handsome lounge chair is a sight to behold.
The chair has a subtle pitched silhouette and slightly tapered legs with just a hint of a recline. Plus, the wood frame and imported Italian leather upholstery make for long-term durability and an undeniable air of sophistication.
Best Woven
Jayson Home Beacon Chair
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Dimensions: 26 x 32 x 30.5 inches | Materials: Teak frame, leather upholstery
If you're drawn to woven furnishings, you're likely to appreciate the Beacon. The chair has a solid teak wood frame with tapered, slightly angled legs and a pitched back that'll make for a stylish addition to your space.
With clean lines and a pared-down Scandinavian appeal, this lounge chair is beautiful in its simplicity. The seat and backrest are woven from genuine leather strips for a vibe that's undeniably laid-back but not too casual for year-round use.
Best Armchair
Apt 2B Delilah Chair
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Dimensions: 38 x 37 x 38 inches | Materials: Wood frame, velvet microfiber upholstery
For a cozy armchair you'll want to lounge in all day, consider Apt 2B's Delilah Chair. Though it's an investment piece, the made-to-order furniture piece boasts eco-friendly construction and a solid wood frame you'll appreciate for years to come.
The chair features a deep seat, 4-inch armrest, and bolster pillows for added comfort and style. The cushions are reversible as well, so you won't have to worry if it suffers any stains. Plus, you can choose between nearly 40 fabric and color combinations, so you're sure to find an option that fits well in your home. While the chair has a durable construction, it even comes with a lifetime guarantee on its workmanship and wood frame.
Best Recliner
Lark Manor Ruthie Wide Manual Club Recliner
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Wayfair
Dimensions: 27.25 x 34.25 x 38 inches | Materials: Pine, polywoood, polyester
Lark Manor's Ruthie Wide Manual Club Recliner is the perfect chair to sit back and relax in. The budget-friendly design reclines manually to a 155-degree angle and is sure to become the ultimate relaxation spot in any home.
With tufted button detailing, corded trim, and tapered legs, this lounge chair is a quintessential piece of midcentury modern design. It's offered in a range of colors and materials, from bold red to more neutral tones, making it easy to find the best fit for your home. Not only that, but you can count on the solid pine and birchwood frame for long-lasting durability.
Best with Ottoman
Rosswood & Black Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair and Ottoman
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Overstock
Dimensions: 31.9 x 33.5 x 31.9 inches | Materials: Wood, aluminum, leather
If you're on the hunt for a lounger-ottoman combination, don't miss Rosswood & Black's design. Inspired by classic midcentury modern design, the set includes a leather seat and matching ottoman with a stylish wood finish that makes a statement.
The chair offers a slight recline and a raised headrest for added comfort. It's offered in nine neutral colors, including white, black, and brown. No matter which color you choose, it's sure to make a great addition to a living room or at-home office.
Best Chair-and-a-Half
Article Abisko Lounge Chair
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Dimensions: 42.5 x 38 x 28 inches | Materials: Titanium frame, feather-polyester blend
Need something a bit larger? Consider Article's 42.5-inch-wide Abisko design. Bigger than an armchair but not quite a loveseat, this chair-and-a-half can comfortably seat one to two people and makes for a cozy lounge spot.
The plush, rounded cushions are filled with a blend of foam and feathers, and sinuous spring suspension makes it exceedingly comfy. The chair features understated titanium legs and is offered in three upholstery colors—gray, dark blue, or white.
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the ultra-stylish Edloe Finch Adalyn Lounge Chair (view at Edloe Finch), a laid-back yet practical furniture piece with a solid wood frame, high-density foam cushions, and low-maintenance fabric upholstery. If you're on a budget, however, consider the Sauder Boulevard Cafe Metal Cushioned Lounge Chair (view at Amazon), a handsome seat with a powder-coated metal frame, and your choice of faux leather or fabric upholstery.
What to Look for in a Midcentury Lounge Chair
Shape/Silhouette
When shopping around for a midcentury lounge chair, the first thing you'll want to look for is the shape. This furniture style typically sits somewhat low to the ground with a relatively simple silhouette. Some midcentury-modern chairs are rounded, though you'll also find lots of square models with clean lines. Additionally, lounge chairs have a slightly angled back by design.
Legs
Furniture legs are a defining characteristic of midcentury-modern design. They're often made of wood and slightly tapered or metal and relatively skinny. In either case, the legs of MCM furniture are typically angled outward.
Upholstery
Fabric upholstery is a pillar of midcentury furniture. If you want to adhere to the style of the era, opt for textured linen, tweed, or polyester fabric in a solid hue, like navy, olive, or beige. You'll also find some leather and faux leather pieces, as well as velvet, suede, and woven options.
FAQs
What are the characteristics of midcentury-modern furniture?
According to Schulz, midcentury-modern furniture takes a "form follows function" approach to design, explaining that the functionality of each piece is just as critical as how it looks. While it varies, the defining characteristics include clean lines, rounded cushions, tufted upholstery, tapered legs, metal accents, low-profile silhouettes, and long-lasting craftsmanship.
How do you care for a lounge chair?
The proper way to care for a lounge chair depends mostly on the upholstery material. With fabric models, spills should be blotted up immediately with a damp cloth or an appropriate cleaning solution. Leather can be wiped down with a slightly damp cloth if necessary.
You should also vacuum the upholstery regularly to remove dust from the cushions and crumbs underneath. Additionally, you can use a furniture deodorizer or a steam cleaner to freshen up your chair once or twice a year. Fabric shavers can also be really useful for addressing pilled upholstery.
Where should you put a lounge chair?
As Schulz notes, lounge chairs can be placed nearly anywhere in your home. They work well as accent chairs or as part of a set in living rooms, family rooms, and great rooms.
You might consider getting a single lounge chair to complement your existing furniture or a matching pair for a more cohesive look. You can also place lounge chairs in bedrooms, offices, sunrooms, dens, studios, as well as entryways or stair landings if you have the space.
Why Trust MyDomaine?
MyDomaine contributor Theresa Holland is a copywriter and editor specializing in commerce, lifestyle, and home design. For this article, she interviewed an interior designer for product recommendations as well as insight into the characteristics and inherent qualities of midcentury furniture.
Before making her final selections, she pored over reviews, combed through specs, and considered dozens of models from various brands. You can read more home-related roundups by Theresa on The Spruce.