Mario Ceroli Sofa
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
Pine
Vintage 1970s Italian Benches
Wood
People Also Browsed
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Architectural Elements
Metal, Aluminum
Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling
Wood, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Louis XVI Loveseats
Wood
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Granite
2010s French Other Canapes
Fabric
Antique 1730s French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Musical Instruments
Ormolu
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Chestnut
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Paintings
Canvas
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches
Pine
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Benches
2010s Italian Sofas
Other
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Sofas
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Pine
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
Pine
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Pine
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mohair, Pine, Plywood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Sofas
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Pine
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.