Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Dutch Vintage Sofas
Steel
1990s Dutch Post-Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Polyester
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Hardwood
1930s French Vintage Sofas
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Rattan
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Bronze
20th Century French Adam Style Sofas
Leather, Wood
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Rattan, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
Mid-20th Century French Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
19th Century Antique Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
2010s North American Modern Sofas
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Vintage Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Plywood
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Fabric
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal, Brass
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Sofas
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1960s French Vintage Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Sofas
Damask, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal, Brass
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1990s American Sofas
Chenille
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Beech
1940s Italian Vintage Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Feathers
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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