Sofas
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Tapestry, Foam, Wood
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Oak
Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Faux Leather
2010s Polish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Aluminum
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Fabric, Mohair, Bouclé, Velvet, Oak, Walnut
1860s German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery
Late 19th Century American American Empire Antique Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Suede, Beech
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Polyester, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Fiberglass
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Pine, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood, Maple
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
Early 18th Century French Regency Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Sofas
Fabric, Cherry
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Birch
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1970s American Empire Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s German Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Sofas
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cotton
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Oak, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Lacquer, Foam, Feathers
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Organic Modern Sofas
Foam, Leather, Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Sofas
Concrete
1990s Italian Sofas
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Metal, Aluminum
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Lucite
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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