Sofas
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Brutalist Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Linen, Walnut
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Sofas
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Linen, Walnut
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Cotton, Linen, Foam, Down
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Sofas
Hardwood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Sofas
Bouclé
2010s Slovak Sofas
Cotton, Velvet, Beech
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
1990s Modern Sofas
Mohair
2010s Moroccan Modern Sofas
Velvet
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
1830s American Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Rattan
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Velvet, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s American Sofas
Leather, Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood, Maple
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Sofas
Mohair, Hardwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Spruce, Walnut
2010s American Modern Sofas
Aluminum
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Silk, Trimming, Wood, Velvet
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
1920s British Victorian Vintage Sofas
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian 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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Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
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The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.