Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
2010s British Louis XV Sofas
Hardwood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Metal, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
2010s Canadian Modern Sofas
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Maple, Walnut
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Linen, Walnut
2010s Canadian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Brass
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s French Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Sofas
Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Aluminum
2010s Romanian Minimalist Sofas
Bouclé, Bentwood, Oak, Hardwood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
2010s French Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Fabric
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Sofas
Mohair, Hardwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Pine, Fabric
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Iron
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Beech, Wool
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Organic Modern Sofas
Chenille, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1990s North American Sofas
Upholstery
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bamboo
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Sofas
Velvet, Wood
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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