Sofas
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Sofas
Bouclé
2010s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Wool, Bouclé
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Beech
Early 20th Century American American Classical Sofas
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Sofas
Leather
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Sofas
Concrete
2010s American Modern Sofas
Faux Fur
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome, Iron
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Sofas
Upholstery, Cherry
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Fabric, Rattan, Foam, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Silk
1990s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal, Chrome
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Lambskin, Birch
1880s Italian Antique Sofas
Iron
20th Century British Sofas
Leather
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Oak
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Cut Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool, Wood
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric
2010s Emirian Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1970s American Vintage Sofas
Lucite
2010s Spanish Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Polystyrene
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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