Sofas
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
Mid-19th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather, Teak
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
20th Century American Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chenille
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Silk
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile, Foam
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Sofas
Zebra Hide, Wood, Coconut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
1970s American Colonial Revival Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Canvas, Oak
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Teak
1960s Vintage Sofas
Leather
20th Century Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century Brazilian Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Steel
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Steel
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Aluminum, Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s European Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Sofas
Birch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Teak
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Rattan
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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