Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Oak, Leather, Wool, Linen
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1810s Federal Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Down
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile, Rubber, Wood, Ash
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
1940s Italian Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Sofas
Cane
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
1970s Chippendale Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Plastic, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
2010s Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Wood, Down
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Walnut
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Birch
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Polyester, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1940s Italian Vintage Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Leather, Walnut
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1880s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Foam, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Oak
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1970s Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Sofas
Linen, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Burl
1960s European Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Leather
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Late 19th Century Rococo Revival Antique Sofas
Walnut
1970s Vintage Sofas
Bamboo, Rattan
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen, Velvet
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1870s American Renaissance Revival Antique Sofas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
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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