Sofas
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
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Cotton, Linen, Walnut, Down
2010s American Modern Sofas
Linen, Maple, Trimming
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Early 2000s French Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s French Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Foam
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Sofas
Brass
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Velvet
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
20th Century English Kilim Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
Late 18th Century George III Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Linen
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Pine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo
1990s German Post-Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
2010s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Oak, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Bouclé, Maple, Burl
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
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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The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.