Everyone Owned One In The '70s — Now You're Lucky To Find One Second Hand

1970s interior design was a direct reaction to mid-century modern's clean lines and sleek aesthetic. People wanted to be comfy, life was centered around informal gatherings, and this was reflected in home decor choices. Gone were stuffy cocktail parties, minimalism, and futuristic design, replaced by casual hangouts, sunken dens, and low-slung seating. It's no wonder the papasan chair became an icon of comfort in '70s home decor. With the return of boho-organic design trends, the papasan is a desired vintage furniture item. The problem is, you'd be lucky to find an authentic '70s papasan chair second-hand, and if you do, you should absolutely snatch it up before someone else does.

Papasan chairs originated from Southeast Asia and were originally brought to the U.S. by World War II soldiers returning from the war in the early 1950s. The frame, typically made of rattan, was shaped like a bowl to hold a large cushion on a cone-shaped base. They became extremely popular in the 1970s because they fit in perfectly with the emerging popularity of organic design at the time. Because they were made of natural materials, many people found them to be an option that aligned with the desire for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic chairs. They were also the perfect comfy chair to sit in and chill with a group of friends in your den while listening to records. The papasan is definitely a cozy furniture trend from the 1970s that is still practical and stylish today, and that's why it's becoming harder and harder to find an authentic one at the thrift store.

Like in the '70s, many homeowners are done with uncomfortable homes and focusing on comfort over perfection. There is a pushback against the minimalism of recent years and a return to lived-in, comfy homes. As with many retro design trends, many people are heading to thrift stores to search for the iconic papasan chair. This means vintage papasan chairs are now subject to simple supply and demand – less availability has driven up interest. Sadly, while rattan is highly durable, some of these chairs are now over 50 years old, and many have most likely deteriorated from heavy use (they were super comfy after all) and were tossed.

While it may be difficult to find an authentic vintage papasan chair at the thrift store, you can check at estate sales, online sites like eBay or Etsy, and garage sales. Papasan chairs didn't just disappear after the early 1980s. They were often redesigned and saw a resurgence among college students in the late '90s and early 2000s. If you are someone who doesn't mind a reproduction or modern version of a vintage item, many stores have figured out that they are popular again and are selling papasan chairs. Even some of the original retailers that brought the papasan to the public, like World Market and Pier 1, are still selling these amazingly comfy chairs. If you're not lucky enough to find a secondhand papasan, you could always use a new one as a home decor idea to bring back the '70s bohemian vibe to your interior design.