Paradise Sofa
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Loveseats
Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
20th Century English Country Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Steel, Other
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool
2010s Austrian Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
2010s Austrian Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
2010s Austrian Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Velvet, Birch
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sofas
Beech, Polystyrene
Mid-20th Century Living Room Sets
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Foam, Birch
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Birch
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Sofas
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool
2010s Austrian Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Bouclé, Birch
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Beech, Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Birch
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool
Vintage 1950s Settees
Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
20th Century English Country Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Living Room Sets
Leather
2010s Austrian Armchairs
Textile
Vintage 1960s Swedish Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sofas
Beech, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Swedish Canapes
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Textile
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Sofas
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Vintage 1960s Swedish Sofas
Beech, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Vintage 1950s Sofas
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Beech
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Lounge Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary German Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sofas
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Beech
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
2010s Wall Lights and Sconces
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
Birch, Oak
2010s American Modern Fireplaces and Mantels
Limestone
Vintage 1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French Other Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan
2010s North American Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Walnut
2010s Bosnian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Fabric, Beech, Velvet
Paradise Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Paradise 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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