Vintage Couches & Sofas

Questions About Vintage Couches & Sofas

• How can I identify my couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024

  To identify your couch, look for the maker's markings. Manufacturers choose different places for markings. Some will sew a label onto a cushion or mark one of the legs. Others place their markings on the underside of the frame, so it may be necessary to turn your couch onto its side to locate the marking. Once you've found it, you can search trusted online resources to find out who made your couch and then review information about that particular manufacturer to learn more about your piece's age, style and other characteristics. If you'd like assistance with the process, use the services of a knowledgeable antique dealer or certified appraiser. Explore a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary couches on 1stDibs.

• Can you take apart a couch to fit it through a door?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024

  Whether or not you can take apart a couch to fit it through the door depends on its design. Some couches feature legs that screw into place. If yours has this type of construction, you may be able to take off the legs to increase its mobility. Modular sofas and sectionals also typically come apart for transport. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of couches.

• How can you tell if a sofa is vintage?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024

  To tell if a sofa is vintage, first look for labels and stamps on the frame, the back or the cushions. Using trusted online resources, you can determine who produced your sofa via these markings, and from there, you can conduct research to learn when the company was active and making pieces similar to yours. To be classified as vintage, a sofa must be between 20 and 99 years old. More recently crafted pieces are contemporary, while older sofas are antique. If you're unable to find any markings or would like an expert opinion, work with a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a range of vintage sofas.

• How do you maintain a velvet couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

  Vacuum the velvet regularly. If a spill occurs, blot it immediately with a dry cloth. If the stain dries, you can blot it with a cloth dipped in a soap-and-water solution.But test this, or any other cleaning solution, on a hidden spot first to make sure it doesn’t cause damage. Once the fabric is dry, use a soft, dry brush to restore the original direction and loft of the pile.

• How long should couches last?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019

  Couches made of fabric will typically last 15 years, whereas couches made of leather will typically last 45 years.

• How long should a leather couch last?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

  A good-quality leather couch should last at least 25 years, if properly cared for.

• What is a sectional couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019

  A sectional couch is comprised of individual pieces that can be arranged in different positions.

• What is a bumper sofa?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024

  A bumper sofa is a sofa with a specific design. Usually part of a larger sectional sofa, it is a long chaise with an extended armrest. The design of the bumper sofa makes it possible for a single person to sit with their legs stretched out along the chaise or for multiple people to sit on the chaise with their feet on the floor, using the armrest as a backrest. Shop a large collection of sofas on 1stDibs.

• What is a couch table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

  A couch table is a long, narrow table with storage space below that is placed behind a sofa and stands no higher than its back.

• What is a tiny couch called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024

  What a tiny couch is called varies. Some people may describe small couches designed to comfortably seat just two people as settees. Others may refer to them as loveseats or simply call them couches or sofas. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary couches from some of the world's top sellers.

• Which type of sofa is long-lasting?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024

  There are many types of sofas that are long-lasting. The durability of a sofa depends on both its materials and its construction. Some features that can help sofas stand the test of time include solid wood frames, hand-tied spring suspension systems and quality foam padding. In terms of upholstery, leather usually outlasts fabric, but there are exceptions to the rule based on quality and care. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of sofas.

• What is a Turkish couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024

  A Turkish couch is a long, low sofa, usually composed of a very thick mattress-like cushion and a wooden frame. Some styles feature arms like traditional sofas, while others are armless. You may sometimes see this type of furniture referred to as a divan. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of couches.

• What is the best fabric for a couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

  For a couch subjected to everyday use, it is best to use a highly durable fabric such as cotton or linen.

• What is the table in front of a couch called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

  The table in front of a couch is a coffee table.

• What is the table behind a couch called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

  The table behind a couch is called a console. A console is usually about the same length and height as the sofa and has one or several shelves.
  

• What is the longest-lasting couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024

  There is no single longest-lasting couch. Many makers produce couches capable of standing the test of time when cared for properly. Generally, some signs of a durable couch include quality full-grain or top-grain leather upholstery, sturdy frame construction and high-quality fill such as spring systems or high-density premium foams. Explore a diverse assortment of couches on 1stDibs.

• What is the difference between a davenport and a couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 3, 2024

  The difference between a davenport and a couch comes down to special features. A couch or sofa is an upholstered piece of furniture designed to seat two or more people, while a davenport is a large couch or sofa that can be used as a bed or one that folds out into a bed.
  
  A couch is occasionally called a davenport when the furnishing in question is a large comfortable sofa that can double as a bed or can be converted into a bed. The name comes from a now-defunct New England furniture manufacturer, A.H. Davenport & Company, which was established in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the late 19th century. Davenport furnished the homes of the richest Americans during what we now call the Gilded Age.
  
  In the 1880s, thanks largely to the Industrial Revolution, the American economy started booming, and when it did, it created a whole new supply of millionaires. Firms like the Duveen Brothers supplied these families with European decor, and manufacturers such as A.H. Davenport & Company furnished their mansions. The term davenport became a synonym for any sofa that looked like the one produced by the popular Massachusetts company.
  
  Find vintage sofas and sofa beds on 1stDibs.

• Do sectional couches come apart?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019

  Sectional couches can be separated into smaller parts if desired.

• What did the first couch look like?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024

  No one knows for sure what the first couch looked like. However, couches have been traced back to ancient Greece, where they were called klinai. These bench-like seats, intended for reclining and other activities, were covered with cushions and soft blankets. Some featured ornately carved wood or stone backrests, while others lacked backs entirely. 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. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of couches.

• What size is a two-seater sofa?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024

  There is no standard size for a two-seater sofa. However, most sofas designed to accommodate two people are around 60 to 63 inches long. Standard sofa depths are around 37 to 40 inches, while seat heights are typically 17 or 18 inches. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of sofas.