Sofas
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Sofas
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Slate
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Linen, Pine
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s British Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Sofas
Leather, Foam, Plexiglass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
19th Century Antique Sofas
Wood
1970s French Space Age Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Teak
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1940s Italian Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
Late 20th Century Danish Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Wood, Down
1930s Danish Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1940s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Rosewood
2010s American Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
20th Century Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
20th Century Sofas
Sheepskin
1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather, Wood
1990s Art Deco Sofas
Sheepskin
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Aluminum, Nickel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Elm
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede, Plastic
Mid-19th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather, Teak
Mid-19th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather, Teak
Mid-19th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
20th Century English Sofas
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century English Sofas
Cowhide, Leather
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
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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