Sofas
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Birch
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak, Upholstery
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1960s European Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Leather
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cowhide, Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Pine
1940s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Pine
1960s Danish Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Sofas
Metal, Chrome
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Rosewood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Pine
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Elm
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Teak
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Beech, Wool
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1940s Italian Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1930s American Louis XIV Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1930s Finnish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Metal
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, 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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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.