Before growing into one of the largest furniture brands in the United States in the mid-20th century, the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. had humble beginnings. It was founded in 1902, when Peter E. Kroehler, a Chicago-based businessman who grew up on a farm in Minnesota, bought a small furniture manufacturer called Naperville Lounge Co., a maker of wooden lounge chairs and upholstered furniture, founded in 1893.
Peter had first worked there as a clerk before rising to partner and then president and finally owner. Under Kroehler’s leadership, a new factory was built in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 1913, and soon after the company was renamed.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. became a fixture of the American furniture industry, eventually employing around 8,000 people in four plants in Illinois and Ohio, and by the 1940s was bringing in more than $20 million in annual sales.
The company was a pioneer in innovative 20th-century furniture, patenting some of its designs, like the Unifold sofa bed with a removable mattress that was developed in 1909 and the sideways foldable Duofold sofa bed. Colorful ads in popular magazines such as Ladies Home Journal propelled these dual-purpose furnishings into customer favorites.
Kroehler was also known for its hand-tufted Turkish couches as well as unique shapes for lounge-chair backs, such as batwings and scallops. In addition to seating and sofa beds, the company specialized in furniture for the entire home, from sturdy wooden cabinets to sleek mid-century modern credenzas.
Kroehler’s historic Naperville factory closed in 1978 due to financial struggles and was acquired by a Chicago investment firm that sold the plants as well as the rights to the Kroehler name. Its Naperville factory was converted into apartments in the 1980s, and decades later the company name is still visible on the building.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. is remembered for its long association with the Chicago area and its quality mid-century modern pieces, which remain coveted collector’s items to this day.
Find vintage Kroehler Manufacturing Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
$6,950 / set
Midcentury Kroehler Upholstered Lounge Chairs
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Well designed pair of sculptural armchairs by the Kroehler Co. Featuring blue fabric upholstery, solid American wood construction with comfortable deep seats. The sculptural legs rea...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid Century Post Modern Lounge Chairs by Donghia for Kroehler After Parsons
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Donghia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome matching pair of armchairs designed by Donghia for Koehler. These feature their original grey flanel upholstery and ready for use. Manufacture labels
Fabric
Mid-Century Slope Armchair by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage lounge chair with dramatic swooping arms and tapered wood legs. Great comfort and design by Kroehler. (Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer).
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Style Lounge Chair By Kroehler
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylishly cozy lounge chair was made by Kroehler Manufacturing company circa 1966 as part of their American Leisure Collection. This chair was made in the style of and therefore...
Chenille, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Red Upholstery Barrel Scallop Shape Back Lounge Chairs
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of striking looking red upholstery lounge chairs by Kroehler.
Upholstery, Birch
Pair of Mid-Century Red Velvet Lounge Chairs or Armchairs
Located in Rome, IT
Very comfortable pair tulip shape red velvet of armchairs with scrolled hand holds . Soft and beautiful original vintage red velvet upholstery. The conical legs are in original con...
Wood
$4,200 / set
H 30.75 in W 24 in D 23.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slipper Lounge Chairs by Kroehler, 1960s
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Kroehler was one of the largest furniture manufacturers in America during the mid-20th century, producing designs that combined quality craftsmanship with the clean modern aesthetic ...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Barrel Back Lounge Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of barrel back lounge armchairs with chrome tube frames. Great size and shape, seat height is 18.75, very comfy with chrome in tip top shape. Upholstery is a ...
Chrome
$2,200
H 27 in W 28 in D 29 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Arm Chair in Walnut by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sexy sculptural lounge chair designed by Adrian Pearsall in the 1960's. It features the original floral fabric on the back rest but the seat cushion was redone at some point. Solid...
Wood, Fabric, Walnut
$2,900
H 27 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Brass Barrel Back Lounge Chair by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic well built asian inspired lounge chair produced by Mastercraft in the early 1970s. It features a heavy brass framing with the original decorator fabric. Ready for use.
Brass
Mid Century Leather Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style leather upholstered armchair with a floating headrest, with vintage style aniline top grade brown leather with a tub back form, cushion seat and raised on sp...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Lounge Chair
By Coja Culemborg
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Coja lounge chair produced in the Netherlands. Stylish and comfortable 1960s brown leather lounge chair. Both the ch...
Leather, Wood
Mid Century Lounge Chair after Risom Big Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Chic and sophisticated architectural lounge chair, after the iconic Risom big chair. The chair has a large upholstered seat which is set in a solid walnut fr...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,282Sale Price|32% Off
H 41 in W 30 in D 35.5 in
Adrian Pearsall Styled Vintage Sculptural Wood Lounge Armchair, 1960s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1960s vintage highback lounge chair features sculptural wood and groovy original 1960s fabric. The style is in the manner of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates and Kipp Stewar...
Fabric, Wood
$42,000 / set
H 25.01 in W 33.86 in D 33.86 in
Mid-Century Modern Cube Armchairs by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin, 1970s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous pair of Cube Armchairs is a statement for itself. The Cube collection is a creation by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020), designed c. 1970, and it still leaves us breathless....
Velvet, Wood
$476Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 31.5 in D 27 in
Post Modern Memphis Style Club Lounge Chair by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in New York, NY
Pure 1980's Postmodern, memphis influence lounge, arm chair. Gutsy tapered legs support the dramatic upholstered seat. Structurally sound and sturdy, unfortunately, the fabric shows ...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,105Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Italian Midcentury Reclinable Lounge Chair or Armchair, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Original Mid-Century Modern reclinable lounge chair or chaise longue. This extremely comfortable reclinable chair and can be set in several positions, with or without the footrest e...
Iron
Mid-Century Lounge Chairs by Kroehler - a Pair
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century lounge chairs manufactured by Koehler, circa 1950s. This pair features a vibrant earthy green upholstered body. Arched walnut legs frame the sides of the chairs. The leg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Lounge Armchair by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Overall great condition. Received new face-lift with a wood touch up with very minor wear. 30.5w x 30.5d x 38.5t, Arm height: 19.5"h, seat height: 17.5"h, Seat dimensions: 22w x 20d....
Fabric, Walnut
Kroehler Adrian Pearsall Style Contemporary Armchair
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kroehler Adrian Pearsall Style Contemporary armchair The chair measures: 30 wide x 30 deep x 35 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height...
Upholstery, Wood
Kroehler Signed Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair Armchair
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare Kroehler midcentury lounge chair with all original fabric. Given its age, early 1970s, it is still in very good condition. The fabric is also very good with wear near armrest at...
Fabric, Walnut
Midcentury Danish Modern Kroehler Walnut Lounge Chair
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a Mid-Century Modern lounge chair with blue upholstery and a walnut base. It is structurally sound, but needs to be reupholstered). It is not signed. See our ...
Upholstery, Walnut