Baker Velvet Sofa
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century North American Chesterfield Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Regency Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Velvet
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Walnut
20th Century Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Jacobean Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Early 2000s Sofas
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Velvet
20th Century American George III Sofas
Velvet, Rattan, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1950s American Federal Settees
Velvet, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Velvet, Wood
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1970s North American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Textile, Velvet, Wood, Down
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Walnut, Down
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Mohair, Velvet
Late 20th Century American Georgian Sofas
Velvet
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Chrome
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Sofas
Walnut, Burl
Vintage 1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Mahogany
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Satin
Vintage 1980s Italian Hollywood Regency Console Tables
Malachite
Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Bird Cages
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Beds and Bed Frames
Parchment Paper
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Rock Crystal, Silver
Mid-20th Century American Ming Sofas
Mohair, Bouclé, Wood
20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Mohair, Lucite
Finding the Right Sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique 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. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Deciding on whether you want a velvet sofa is a matter of preference, but it can be a very good choice. Velvet is a symbol of wealth and is very soft and comfortable. It’s also quite durable, which is often unexpected from such a luxe feeling fabric. The flat pile makes it impossible to snag and it resists stains. Shop a collection of velvet furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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