Sofas
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Sofas
Fabric, Rattan
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile, Rosewood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile, Foam
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Hardwood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s European Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
2010s American Modern Sofas
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Rancho Monterey Sofas
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Teak, Leather
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Suede
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Mahogany
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Asian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Rope, Teak, Upholstery
2010s Dutch Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Plastic
Early 20th Century Louis XV Sofas
Satin, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Textile, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Oak
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
20th Century French Provincial Sofas
Cotton, Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Suede, Fiberglass
Early 19th Century Cuban Regency Antique Sofas
Cane, Mahogany
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
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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