Barrel Sofa
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Bohemian Sofas
Fabric, Rattan, Reed
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
Antique Early 1900s Victorian Sofas
Wicker, Rattan, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Settees
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
Chenille
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Bohemian Settees
Fabric, Rattan, Reed
Antique 1860s English Victorian Living Room Sets
Leather
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Fabric
Recent Sales
2010s Australian Organic Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Foam, Oak
2010s Pakistani Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Pakistani Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Pakistani Modern Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany, Pine
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Brass
Antique 1830s Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Early 2000s American Other Sofas
Leather
20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
Mohair
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cotton, Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Sofas
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Antique 19th Century Gustavian Sofas
Linen, Hemp, Pine
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Cotton, Polyester, Teak
Vintage 1960s American Modern Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century Empire Revival Sofas
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century Art Deco Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1950s German Sofas
Chrome
Antique 1810s Swedish Neoclassical Sofas
Linen, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Settees
Linen, Pine
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Living Room Sets
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Fabric, Oak
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 18th Century English George III Side Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Paint
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Mohair
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century European Sofa Tables
Zinc
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Linen, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Maple
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Settees
Linen, Pine
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Paint
20th Century French Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century French Sofas
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Vintage 1930s Sofas
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Sofas
Bentwood
Antique 19th Century Sofas
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
1990s North American Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Pillows and Throws
Cotton, Velvet
Antique 1890s American Edwardian Sofas
Mohair
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Sheepskin
1990s Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Dinner Plates
Porcelain
2010s Belgian Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
Vintage 1950s American American Craftsman Sofas
Poplar, Tulipwood, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Side Tables
Brass
2010s English Modern Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century English Country Sofas
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
20th Century Directoire Settees
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood, Sheepskin
20th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Barrel Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Barrel Sofa?
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.
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