Sofas
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
19th Century American American Classical Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Burl
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Mohair
1990s Brazilian Sofas
Leather, Imbuia
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Sofas
Fabric, Palmwood
Late 20th Century Sofas
Beech
1980s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Walnut
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chenille, Wood
2010s Mexican Rustic Sofas
Wood, Palmwood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1920s American Victorian Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wrought Iron
2010s American Post-Modern Sofas
Faux Fur, Wood
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Birch
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
1940s Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bamboo, String
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Velvet
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
2010s American Organic Modern Sofas
Brass
1960s American Vintage Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Sofas
Leather, Oak
2010s Mexican Rustic Sofas
Wood, Palmwood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cord, Rope, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Velvet
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Teak, Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Walnut
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Leather
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Oak
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1980s French Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s European Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Velvet, Mahogany
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Wood
1970s Finnish Vintage Sofas
Leather, 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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Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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