Ds600 Suede
20th Century Swiss Sofas
Suede
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather
1990s Swiss Space Age Sectional Sofas
Textile, Ultrasuede
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Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Foam
2010s Italian Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sco...
Plaster
2010s Mexican Brutalist Contemporary Art
Wood
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Mid-20th Century Belgian Dining Room Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Patio and Garden Furniture
Cement
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Mohair, Foam, Wood
2010s Mexican Modern Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors
Mirror, Rattan
Antique 15th Century and Earlier German Decorative Art
Other
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sofas
Velvet
Recent Sales
1990s Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Metal
Vintage 1970s Swiss Sofas
Suede
20th Century Swiss Sofas
Suede
20th Century Swiss Sofas
Suede
20th Century Swiss Sofas
Suede, Felt
Vintage 1960s Swiss Sofas
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Suede
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Sectional Sofas
Suede
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Suede, Wool
Vintage 1970s Swiss Sectional Sofas
Suede
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Swiss Sofas
Suede, Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
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.