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.
Adrian Pearsall Style Rowe Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Rowe Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair This chair measures: 31.25 wide x 34 deep x 32.5 high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair clearance of 21.5 inc...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,750
H 40.5 in W 29 in D 32 in
Danish Mid-Century 1960's Mama Bear Style Lounge Chair with Teak Accent
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful early 1960's Classic Danish "Mama Bear" style modern lounge chair boasting teak wood tipped arm rests on tapered teak oak legs. A sleek and sturdy design that is sure to ma...
Wool, Teak, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Walnut Lounge Chair C1955 Yugoslavia
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous sleek lounge chair in walnut c1955 from Yugoslavia. Scullptural with curved arms and flared armrests. Recently refinished (10-20-26) so its in very good condition. Cushions ...
Fabric, Hardwood, Walnut, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair with Spindle Back, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking mid-century modern lounge chair showcases the timeless balance of sculptural form and functional comfort that defines the best of 1950s–1960s design. Crafted with a sol...
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Mid Century Walnut Armchair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut chair designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1970s. This fantastic chair features its original upholstery with a walnut frame armrest giving it a uni...
Fabric, Walnut
Kofod Larsen for Selig Mid Century Danish Walnut Lounge Chair
By Selig, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kofod Larsen for Selig Mid Century Danish Walnut Lounge Chair This chair measures: 30 wide x 32 deep x 27 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/chair clearance of 22.75 inch...
Upholstery, Teak
Midcentury Danish Lounge Chair in Oak and Wool by N.A. Jorgensen
By Bramin Mobler, Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1950s lounge chair with armrests and base in a nice golden solid oak. Designed by Kurt Olsen around 1950 for N.A. Jorgensen. N.A. Jorgensen became known as Bramin Mobler in 1958 well known for making traditional Danish...
Wool, Oak
$3,600
H 42.5 in W 37 in D 27 in
Fabulous Adrian Pearsall Wing Back Walnut Lounge Chair Mid-Century Modern
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazing and rare Adrian Pearsall wing back chair with sculptural walnut base. Gorgeous from all angles-this chair is a show stopper. If...
Upholstery, Walnut
Danish Modern, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Stained Wood, Denmark, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
Danish Mid-Century Modern, Fabric, Stained Wood, Lounge Chair, Denmark, 1940s A yellow chenille and stained wood lounge chair designed and produced in the early part of the 20th cen...
Fabric, Wood
$4,800
H 38 in W 35.5 in D 32 in
Rare Danish Easy Lounge Chair in Mahogany Attributed to Otto Færge, 1940's
By Otto Færge 1
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Incredibly comfortable, exuberantly designed large lounge chair. The style is very much that of Otto Færge and true to his style and design proportions that perfectly captures the es...
Beech, Wool
Mid-Century Danish Modern Finn Andersen Barrel Back Club Chair
By Selig
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Danish Modern Finn Andersen barrel back club chair Offered is a vintage mid-century Danish modern chair by Selig. Designed by Finn Andersen....
Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Modern Cube Lounge Chair by Dunbar
Located in Wilmington, DE
Vintage Mid Century Modern Cube Lounge Chair by Dunbar Offered is a vintage lounge/accent chair, by Dunbar . Features a unique and sleek Cube shape. The chairs lines scream 1960'...
Upholstery
Danish Modern Domino Mobler Tufted Teak Lounge Chair
By Domino Møbler
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Danish Modern Domino Mobler Tufted Teak Lounge Chair Offered is a Danish modern teak lounge chair made by Domino Mobler. Features original tufted upholstery and a solid ...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Møre Lenestol Fabrikk Klarinett Teak Lounge Chair
By More Lenestolfabrikk
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a 1950s Scandinavian Modern 'Klarinett' lounge chair by Møre Lenestol Fabrikk A/S. It is made of teak wood with a removable, weighted...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Selig Pencil-Leg Lounge Chair
By Selig
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Selig pencil leg lounge chair Offered is a Mid-Century Modern lounge chair attributed to Selig. This piece is unrestored needs new cushi...
Walnut, Fabric
Vintage Mid-Century Modern KROEHLER Style Club Chair
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Danish Modern Lounge/Club Chair Offered is a vintage mid-century modern club chair. This chair dates back to the 1960s. The clean and sleek modern lines perfectly captur...
Upholstery
