Sofas
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Sofas
Foam
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s Vintage Sofas
Velvet
Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
1920s American Baroque Vintage Sofas
Bouclé
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Tapestry, Giltwood, Wool, Silk
1970s Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1960s Spanish Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
Mid-20th Century French Sofas
Wood
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Sofas
Fabric, Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Stainless Steel, Chrome
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Spruce, Walnut
2010s French Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Portuguese Sofas
Fabric
20th Century American Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Bamboo
1820s British Regency Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Canvas
1980s French Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1990s North American Renaissance Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s European Space Age Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam, Wood
19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1950s Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
1950s American Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Sofas
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Unknown Spanish Colonial Vintage Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel, Chrome
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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