Sofas
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Beech, Wool
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Formica
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sofas
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1860s German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Velvet, Giltwood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1920s American Neoclassical Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
2010s Italian Sofas
Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Fir, Plywood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Wood, Fabric, Beech
1970s Vintage Sofas
Chenille
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
Mid-19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
20th Century Chippendale Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Feathers
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Lucite
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet, Foam
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Sofas
Metal, Other
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan, Wood
Late 18th Century George III Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
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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