Sofas
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1970s Spanish Modern Vintage Sofas
Foam
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
2010s American Modern Sofas
Aluminum
2010s Mexican Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede, Rosewood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Birch
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
1930s American Louis XIV Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Sofas
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
Late 20th Century Dutch Sofas
Aluminum
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Wood, Leather, Plastic
1860s German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Mohair
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Dutch Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede, Upholstery
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Danish Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Brass
1840s Italian Louis Philippe Antique Sofas
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Felt, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Walnut
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, 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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