Sofas
Late 19th Century English Antique Sofas
Leather, Velvet, Mahogany
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Beech
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Polyester, Wood, Feathers
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Finnish Vintage Sofas
Leather, Pine
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Rattan, Beech
1980s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Birch
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Oak
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Oak, Fabric, Linen, Elm
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Oak, Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Swiss Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wool
1980s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Alpaca, Wood
1970s European Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s French Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Cotton, Beech
1990s Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1970s Belgian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Metal
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s British George III Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
1970s Canadian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Foam
20th Century Danish Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Cord
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Oak
20th Century Unknown Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet
1970s Swiss Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Wool, Bouclé, Cotton, Oak
Late 20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new 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. 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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