Sofas
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech, Fir
1830s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Cotton, Plastic
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Sofas
Chrome
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s German Modern Sofas
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s American Other Sofas
Wenge
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Ash
Mid-19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Sofas
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Sofas
Rosewood
1940s Danish Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool
2010s Dutch Sofas
Upholstery
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Metal
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Marble, Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Silk
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Birch, Zebra Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1960s Dutch Space Age Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Fiberglass, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1980s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Other Sofas
Metal
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Polyester
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Sofas
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Down
1970s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Beech
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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