Sofas
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Wood, Velvet
2010s Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam, Walnut, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Portuguese Other Sofas
Metal
2010s Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Polyester, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Sofas
Wool, Walnut
2010s Italian Sofas
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Sofas
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Sofas
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s British Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Ash
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Oak, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Spanish Sofas
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Sofas
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Synthetic
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s Austrian Sofas
Leather, Textile
2010s French Art Deco Sofas
Mohair, Velvet, Lacquer
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Danish Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s American Other Sofas
Wenge
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool, Nylon, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Plastic
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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