1930s Upholstered Lounge Chairs
These 1930s upholstered lounge chairs bring striking form and comfort to a room, led largely by Art Deco designs.
1930s Upholstered Lounge Chairs
When you search for 1930s upholstered lounge chairs, you encounter a selection spanning armchairs, lounge suites, and occasional seating. The examples here include pieces defined by Art Deco, Swedish Art Deco, 1930s traditional, and English country house styles.
The most common forms on this page are pairs of club armchairs and individual lounge seats. You also find specialised pieces such as Bridgewater style armchairs, wingbacks, cocktail chairs, and three-piece tank suites.
How they were made
Makers built the frames of these chairs using solid hardwoods such as walnut, elm, and birch, often finished with distinctive veneers like burr walnut, burr birch, and satin birch. Some designs incorporated bentwood techniques to achieve their characteristic curves.
Upholstery materials varied widely to suit the style, ranging from traditional fabric and plaid wool to calf suede, Moroccan style red grain leather, and modern replacement covers with brass stud details.
Listings feature wood types including walnut, elm, birch, satin birch, and burr walnut, paired with fabric, leather, suede, and brass.
What varies in quality
The distinction between ordinary and exceptional chairs rests largely on the choice of wood veneers and the precision of the frame contours. Pieces utilising burr birch or satin birch display a greater depth of grain than standard hardwood frames.
Execution of the style defines the upper tier of these lounge chairs, particularly in Swedish Art Deco pairs and substantial club chairs. The harmony between the exposed wooden structure and the chosen upholstery sets the finer examples apart.
Heals
The 1930s Upholstered Lounge Chairs Glossary
- Art Deco
- A design style characterised by sleek geometric shapes, streamlined forms, and modern materials popular during the interwar period. It influences many of the chairs on this page.
- Club Chair
- A deep, comfortable armchair designed for relaxation, often heavily upholstered and substantial in scale. They frequently appear in pairs in leather or fabric.
- Bentwood
- Wood that has been heated and bent into curved shapes during manufacturing. This technique allows for the sweeping lines seen on specific frames here.
- Wingback Armchair
- A traditional seating form featuring high backs with side panels designed to shield the sitter from drafts. Examples in this selection appear in plaid wool upholstery.
- Satin Birch
- A pale, lustrous timber used for decorative veneers on Scandinavian seating. It provides a striking contrast to darker framing elements.
1930s Upholstered Lounge Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which materials appear on these chairs?
Frames utilise hardwoods such as walnut, elm, and birch, frequently enhanced by decorative veneers like burr walnut and satin birch.
Upholstery options range from calf suede and red grain leather to traditional fabrics and patterned wool.
Are these chairs sold as pairs?
Many listings consist of matched pairs of armchairs, particularly within the Swedish Art Deco and club chair categories.
Individual armchairs and occasional chairs also feature regularly alongside complete lounge suites.
How do I live with a 1930s lounge chair?
These substantial armchairs work well as statement seating in living rooms, studies, or bedrooms, grounding the space with period character.
Ensure the scale of the chair matches your room, as club chairs and wingbacks occupy considerable visual space.