Sofas
20th Century German Empire Sofas
Birdseye Maple
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Sofas
Beech
1810s English Regency Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Regency Sofas
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century English Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
20th Century Empire Sofas
Wood, Beech
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 18th Century French Regency Antique Sofas
Walnut
1920s Empire Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Sofas
Beech
1810s English Regency Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Sofas
Wood, Leather
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Walnut, Giltwood
1880s Czech Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 18th Century American Regency Antique Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Early 1800s English Regency Antique Sofas
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Dutch Empire Antique Sofas
Cotton, Twill, Upholstery, Satinwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Sofas
1810s English Regency Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1810s Irish Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1950s American Empire Vintage Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Danish Empire Antique Sofas
Ormolu
Early 1800s Swedish Empire Antique Sofas
Birch
19th Century European Regency Antique Sofas
Birch
Mid-19th Century Italian Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1860s French Empire Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Jamaican Regency Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1810s French Empire Antique Sofas
Linen, Walnut, Wood
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.