Sofas
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
1810s English Regency Antique Sofas
Silk, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s European Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Velvet
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Formica
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal, Chrome
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Beech
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Ash
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1980s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Linen
1980s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
1970s Swedish Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Pine
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Naugahyde, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Hardwood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric, Textile
20th Century Chesterfield Sofas
Cowhide
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Steel
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood
18th Century American Antique Sofas
Abalone, Fabric, Jute, Cotton, Upholstery, Down
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Hide, Leather
1940s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
2010s Turkish Modern Sofas
Fabric, Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
2010s Dutch 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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The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.