Sofas
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Brutalist Sofas
Leather, Canvas, Pine
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Organic Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam
1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1990s American Organic Modern Sofas
Cane, Mahogany
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass, Iron
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan
20th Century English Sofas
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century British Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Polyester
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sofas
Rattan
1970s Chippendale Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Queen Anne Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin
1960s Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Danish Sofas
Textile
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Faux Leather, Wood
1970s French Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Faux Leather, Imbuia
Early 20th Century Irish Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century British Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Nutwood
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
Leather, Faux Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Wood
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Wood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Glass, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Late 20th Century American Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
2010s Spanish Sofas
Polyester
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Bronze
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, 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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