Sofas
1880s French Louis XIV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Textile, Wood, Giltwood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
20th Century Chesterfield Sofas
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1990s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Metal, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Sofas
Plastic
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-19th Century Sicilian Charles X Antique Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Cotton, Beech
Late 19th Century Italian Art Nouveau Antique Sofas
Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Lucite
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1990s Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
2010s American Modern Sofas
Velvet, Poplar
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Sofas
Leather, Rattan
1970s Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Sofas
Walnut, Leather
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Beech
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Other
2010s Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Maple, Down
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
Foam
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Sofas
Steel
2010s Dutch Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Sofas
Fabric, Linen, Oak
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Unknown Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Down
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cotton
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
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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Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.