Sofas
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Birch
2010s American Sofas
Linen, Foam, Oak, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Velvet
1940s Italian Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s Mexican Rustic Sofas
Wood, Palmwood
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
2010s Mexican Rustic Sofas
Wood, Palmwood
1920s American Victorian Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chenille, Wood
1940s Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Birch
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Foam
Early 2000s Sofas
Velvet
1980s French Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
Early 1900s Danish Edwardian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Hollywood Regency Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Teak, Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cord, Rope, Wood
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Velvet
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Sofas
Spruce, Plywood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Elm
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Laminate, Wood
1980s American Vintage Sofas
Stainless Steel
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Beech, Sheepskin
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
1820s British Regency Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s European Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1920s American Georgian Vintage Sofas
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
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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