Sofas
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Bronze, Copper, Pewter
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Foam
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Oak
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
2010s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Leather
2010s Italian Sofas
Wood
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
1980s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Birch
Late 20th Century Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Oak
Early 20th Century English Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Foam
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1830s Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Walnut
1980s Dutch Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Pine, Paint
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Rosewood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Feathers
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Sofas
Linen, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1970s European Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Dutch Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Beech
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
1970s British Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Sofas
Iron
Mid-20th Century European Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s North American Modern Sofas
Linen, Wood, Down
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Minimalist Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet
Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs: Find Mario Bellini Sofas, Togo Sofas, Vladimir Kagan Sofas and Other Seating for Sale
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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Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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