When the first iteration of the Lane Furniture company began to produce its now-famous Lane cedar chests in the early 20th century, the family behind the brand was unsure of how successful they’d be, so they initially didn’t bother adding their name to the offerings.
The manufacturer was off to a modest start but the family was industrious: The Lanes were made up of farmers and contractors who’d built more than 30 miles of the Virginian railroad. They owned a cotton mill and purchased thousands of acres of land in Campbell County, Virginia, where the Virginian railroad was intended to cross the main line of the Southern Railway.
The Lanes hoped to start a town in this region of the state, and by 1912, streets for the town of Altavista had been laid out and utility lines were installed. In the spring of that year, John Lane purchased a defunct box factory at a bankruptcy auction. His son, Edward Hudson Lane, was tasked with the manufacturing of the cedar “hope” chests for which the Lane family would become known, even though the company was initially incorporated as the Standard Red Cedar Chest Company.
The Standard Red Cedar Chest Company struggled in its early days but introduced an assembly system at its small factory after securing a contract with the federal government to produce ammunition boxes made of pine during World War I. The company prospered and applied mass-production methods to its cedar-chest manufacturing after the war, and, in 1922, rebranding as the Lane Company, it implemented a national advertising campaign to market its products.
Ads tied the company’s strong cedar hope chests to romance. Anchored by copy that read “The gift that starts the home,” the campaign rendered a Lane cedar chest a necessary purchase for young women to store linens, clothing and keepsakes as they prepared to marry.
Wartime production during World War II had Lane producing aircraft parts. In the 1950s, the family-owned company began to branch out into manufacturing tables, bedroom pieces and other various furnishings for the entire home. Today, the brand’s vintage mid-century furniture — which includes the Perception, Tuxedo and Acclaim collections — is highly sought after.
Designed by Andre Bus, Lane’s Acclaim furniture collection of coffee tables, end tables, dressers and more has been compared to Drexel’s wildly popular Declaration series for its blend of traditional craftsmanship and the impeccably clean contours that are frequently associated with the best of mid-century modern design.
Ads for the Acclaim line suggested that it included “probably the best-selling table in the world.” Before its offerings expanded to include items for the bedroom and dining room, Lane was primarily known for its tables and case pieces — there are side tables, coffee tables and more created by Bus in the Acclaim collection, each sporting graceful tapered legs and dovetail inlays.
Later, during the 1960s, Lane offered handsome modular wall units created by the likes of Paul McCobb, an award-winning Massachusetts-born designer best known for his work at Directional.
The company was acquired by United Furniture Industries in 2017 and became particularly well-known among contemporary consumers for its upholstered furniture. In 2022 United abruptly closed and ceased operations at Lane.
Vintage Lane furniture is generally characterized by relatively neutral styles, which are versatile in different kinds of interiors, as well as good quality woods and careful manufacturing. All of these attributes have made Lane one of the most recognizable names in American furniture.
Browse storage cabinets, side tables and other vintage Lane furniture on 1stDibs.
1962 Lane 1115 series Coffee Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This simple and handsome mid-century modern table by Lane Furniture has warm walnut grain with contrasting rosewood strips, and polished chrome legs exposed in the table top. Please ...
Chrome
Mid-Century Metal Base Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long five foot table or bench with white laminate top over walnut wood grain. Set on a black metal base. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Long Coffee Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern sofa table with white laminate top and tapered legs. Attractive mid-century design. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Laminate, Walnut
Vintage Modern Coffee Table by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish midcentury coffee table by Lane Furniture Company, circa 1960s. Ample table surface area, uniquely sculpted legs, one drawer un...
Wood
Lane Furniture Mid-Century Coffee Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern coffee table with faux stone top and walnut wood frame. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Formica, Wood
Mid-Century modern 1960s extendable coffee table by Nathan
Located in London, GB
A unique Mid-Century coffee table with an extendable top, made by English manufacturer Nathan. The tabletop slides along the frame, allowing an extra black melamine surface to be lif...
Laminate, Teak
Midcentury Coffee Table from Denmark, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very practical - Rare type - Restoration of wood.
Wood
Long Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
This Danish mid-century coffee table is a stunning example of mid-century craftsmanship, featuring a sleek, minimalist design that highlights the beauty of richly grained hardwood. T...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Rare Coffee Table by Max Ingrand, 1955
By Max Ingrand
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Rare Coffee Table by Max Ingrand, 1955
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Two-Tiered Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern coffee table combining rich woodgrain with black panels in an elegant design. A bottom tier allows for extra storage of magazines or books and makes this table a s...
Wood
