Sofas
Late 20th Century French Regency Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Upholstery
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
2010s Dutch Sofas
Upholstery
Early 2000s French Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s French Sofas
Fabric
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sofas
Wicker, Reed
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam, Feathers, Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s German Sofas
Metal
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan, Cane
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Stainless Steel
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Sofas
Leather, Rattan
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
20th Century International Style Sofas
Wood
Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Cotton, Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
2010s British Art Deco Sofas
Alpaca, Beech
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
18th Century Antique Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Feathers
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1850s European Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cowhide, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Cane, Hardwood
1970s French Vintage Sofas
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Teak
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
2010s Italian Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Other Sofas
Fabric
Early 1800s Swedish Empire Antique Sofas
Birch
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, 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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