Sofas
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
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
1850s European Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Ming Sofas
Metal
2010s Mexican Sofas
Brass
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Sofas
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1980s Thai Bohemian Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wicker
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede
2010s South African Sofas
Linen
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Cane, Hardwood
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Rattan, Teak
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Sofas
Hardwood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Sofas
Mohair, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s French Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s American Empire Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Cane, Teak
2010s Spanish Sofas
Cotton
2010s Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Brocade, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Danish Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Foam
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
2010s Asian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Rattan, Teak, Synthetic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian 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.
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Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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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.