Sofas
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Tapestry, Giltwood, Wool, Silk
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Plastic, Plexiglass
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Slate
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Satin, Silk, Wood
1930s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Pine
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wrought Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Beech
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Lucite
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Imbuia
1940s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cowhide, Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Zebra Hide, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam, Mahogany, Feathers
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern 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.