Sofas
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather, Beech
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Victorian Sofas
Wrought Iron
20th Century Louis XV Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Silk, Beech
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Victorian Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Upholstery
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Hemp
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1880s Belgian High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Early 20th Century European Louis XV Sofas
Linen, Oak
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Early 20th Century British Victorian Sofas
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Giltwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
1970s American Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century British Victorian Sofas
Brass
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
20th Century British Victorian Sofas
Brass
1880s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
1990s American Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Early 20th Century Louis XV Sofas
Satin, Cotton
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1880s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Other
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1740s Italian Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Wood
1850s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1860s English High Victorian Antique 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.