Sofas
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Modern Sofas
Linen
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Sofas
Steel
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Wool, Bouclé, Cotton, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
Mid-19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak
20th Century Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century British Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Sofas
Alpaca
Early 2000s North American Modern Sofas
Chenille, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Sofas
Leather
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Elm
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Teak
1930s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Sofas
Straw, Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
1870s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile
2010s American Modern Sofas
Walnut, Canvas
1970s European Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Spanish Sofas
Aluminum
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1930s French Modern Vintage Sofas
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
20th Century French Sofas
Cotton
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s American American Craftsman Vintage Sofas
Poplar, Tulipwood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Satin, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Sofas
Rattan
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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