Sofas
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Satinwood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s Portuguese Sofas
Onyx, Brass
2010s Portuguese Sofas
Onyx, Brass
2010s Portuguese Sofas
Onyx, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s Danish Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fruitwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Giltwood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Linen
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
2010s French Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Suede
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
2010s Danish Modern Sofas
Wood, Textile, Papercord
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Textile
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Foam, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
Late 20th Century American Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam
2010s French Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
19th Century English Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
18th Century Antique Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile
1980s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Sofas
Linen, Upholstery
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Mohair
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Brutalist Sofas
Metal
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair
1960s Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam, Fabric
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rush, Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1970s German Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Plastic, Polystyrene
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
2010s Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Swedish Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Pine
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
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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