Sofas
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Cotton, Foam, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Early 2000s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mahogany, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Felt
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Velvet, Oak, Bouclé, Cotton
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
20th Century French Hollywood Regency Sofas
Metal
1980s English Chinoiserie Vintage Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel, Other
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1990s Swedish Sofas
Pine, Fabric
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Polyester
2010s French Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century Belgian Space Age Sofas
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Walnut
Early 2000s French French Provincial Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Plastic
1980s European Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Polyester
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Lambskin, Teak
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool
1970s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Chenille
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Chenille, Velvet, Foam
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Steel
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Lambskin, Birch
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Lambskin, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Paper
Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs
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.
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