Sofas
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Chrome
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Maple
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Danish Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Brass
1930s American Louis XIV Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century English Country Sofas
Cotton, Wood
1980s Uzbek Vintage Sofas
Wool
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Textile, Wood
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
1970s French Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen
Early 20th Century Mission Sofas
Faux Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Bouclé, Maple, Burl
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Polyester
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Resin, Fiberglass, Lacquer
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas
Steel, Stainless Steel
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Metal
1940s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Sofas
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cowhide, Teak
1990s Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Ultrasuede, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Early 20th Century Dutch Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Birch
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
1830s American Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Silk, Trimming
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Rosewood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Sofas
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Foam
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Oak
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Mohair, Walnut
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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The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.