Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak, Fabric
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Beech
2010s Canadian Modern Sofas
Gold Leaf
2010s Slovak Sofas
Cotton, Velvet, Beech
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Maple, Walnut
2010s French Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
2010s British Louis XV Sofas
Hardwood
2010s Canadian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Modern Sofas
Metal, Steel
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Brass
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Leather, Suede
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Iron
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Leather
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Pine, Fabric
Late 20th Century Sofas
Steel
2010s Dutch Sofas
Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Vintage Sofas
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Dutch Sofas
Fabric
1990s North American Sofas
Upholstery
1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Sofas
Chrome
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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