Sofas
2010s American Georgian Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
Mid-19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Fiberglass, Lucite
1970s Finnish Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
2010s Italian Sofas
Steel
20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Mohair
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
2010s American Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
2010s American Modern Sofas
Maple
1970s American Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Rattan
1990s Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Cherry
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Leather
1950s Danish Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wool, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Mahogany
2010s Portuguese American Classical Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 2000s Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
1940s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Pine
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Sofas
Cane
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Wood, Bouclé
1970s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
Early 20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Mahogany
1970s American Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine, Paint
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Formica
2010s Danish Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bamboo, String
2010s Ukrainian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Sheepskin, Bouclé, Jacquard, Velvet, Faux Fur
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood, Hardwood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swiss Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Walnut
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
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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Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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How to Arrange Furniture + Layout Ideas
Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
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Trend Spotlight: Velvet Chesterfield Sofas
The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.