Serpentine Sofa By Preview
1990s North American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Sofas
Velvet
1990s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
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Vintage 1940s Italian Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Chinese Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Oceanic Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sco...
Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Plastic
2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Onyx, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
Steel
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Ultrasuede
Vintage 1980s American Modern Sofas
Wool
Vintage 1980s American Modern Sofas
Wool
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1980s American Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Vintage 1980s American Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Foam, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1980s American Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Modern Swivel Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Sofas
1990s American Modern Sofas
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1980s Sectional Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1990s Sofas
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Hardwood
Finding the Right sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
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