Sofas
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Victorian Sofas
Gold Leaf
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
1880s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1860s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Victorian Sofas
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Satinwood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Hardwood, Upholstery
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Italian Victorian Sofas
Marble, Gold Leaf
1860s Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Hardwood
2010s Italian Victorian Sofas
Gold Leaf
20th Century British Victorian Sofas
Leather, Beech
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Beech, Walnut
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1850s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
2010s Italian Victorian Sofas
Gold Leaf
19th Century North American Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1860s Scottish High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Steel
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather, Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1860s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut, Upholstery
1920s English Victorian Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 19th Century Folk Art Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
2010s North American Victorian Sofas
Velvet
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
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.