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.
1960's Mid-Century Modern Walnut Arm Paw Sofa In Knoll Textiles
By Jens Risom, Hans J. Wegner, George Nelson, Knoll
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1960's Mid Century Modern sofa for sale. It has been professionally reupholstered in Knoll Textiles' Cato fabric in the blue colorwave that goes for $214 a yard. The fabric i...
Wool, Walnut
$7,550
H 24.81 in W 98.43 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Capitone Tufted Sofa With Walnut Frame by Lenoir House
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This vintage American sofa by Lenoir House features a streamlined profile with deep tufted upholstery and a rich walnut wrap-around frame. The elegant cur...
Walnut
$4,200
H 25.5 in W 100 in D 32.5 in
Rare and Exceptional Mid Century Walnut Four Seat Sofa from John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A phenomenal mid century wood framed sofa originally purchased from John Stuart in New York City in 1959. Elegant frame with slightly angl...
Walnut
Sophisticated Erwin Lambeth Curved Walnut Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By John Stuart, Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Sophisticated and stylish curved mid-century modern sofa designed by Erwin Lambeth. The handsome solid walnut sides are very well preserved in their vintage condition. Just gorgeou...
Walnut, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa This sofa measures: 97 wide x 33 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 28 inches Fair Vintage Conditio...
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 92 wide x 35 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 21 inches All pieces of fur...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 90.5 in D 36 in
Amazing Milo Baughman Style Walnut Sofa Mid-century Danish Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Milo Baughman style thick walnut sofa. This sofa is in awesome vintage condition with its original fabulous blue striped woven fabric. The fabric is clean and free from an...
Upholstery, Walnut
Ben Seibel Mid Century Walnut Gala Settee Sofa
By Ben Seibel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ben Seibel Mid Century Walnut Gala Settee Sofa This settee measures: 62 wide x 31 deep x 34 inches high, with a seat height of 19.5 and arm height of 23 inches We take our photos i...
Upholstery, Walnut
Long Danish Sofa by Bramin w/ Sculpted Teak Legs
By Bramin Mobler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous Danish made sofa sits four people comfortably in its 7+ feet length. Designed with swooping arms that are fully cushioned, and a teak base with tapered legs and middle ...
Fabric, Teak
1960s Vintage Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Rosewood Frame Sofa #2165
By Milo Baughman
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Vintage Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin rosewood frame sofa. Milo Baughman rosewood sofa #2165 for Thayer Coggin made in the USA 1968. Listing this rare 3 sided rosewood sofa...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculpted Gondola Sofa 2408
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates sculptural sofa 2408 Offered is a beautifully all original 'Gondola' sofa (model 2408) designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft A...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Elongated Dunbar Low Profile 112" Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Elongated Dunbar Low Profile 112" Sofa Offered is a authentic vintage Mid Century Modern Sofa by Dunbar. Time travel alert. This sofa perfectly represents everyth...
Chrome
Mid Century Danish Modern 1970's PIt Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Sofa Offered is a mid-century modern sofa. The sofa screams 1970, low and long. Featuring a low back that carries around to the arms this sofa...
Chrome
Vintage Mid Century Modern Dunbar Style Low Profile Sofa on Splayed Wood Legs
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a Vintage Mid Century Modern sofa in the style of Dunbar, featuring a clean low-profile silhouette, square track arms, and tapered splayed wood legs. This classic design e...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Pencil Leg 4 Cushion Sofa
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern pencil leg 93" 4 cushion sofa Offered is an unrestored mid-century modern sofa, probably by Kroehler. The sofa very unique lines and is elevated on pencil legs representing that Mid Century Modern/ Jetsons era. The fabric needs to be redone, but still looks like it was a set extra in the Brady Bunch...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Style 4 Seat Sofa on Pencil Legs
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb style sofa on pencil legs Offered is an unrestored Mid-Century Modern sofa in the style of Paul McCobb. The sofa has sharp and curved lines which mak...
Fabric
