Sofas
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Canvas, Velvet, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Wood, Burl
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Birch
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Ultrasuede, Lucite, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cowhide, Teak
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Polyester
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Linen
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Lucite
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak, Upholstery
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan, Wood
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Beech
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Foam
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
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.