Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Oak, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Canvas
1980s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
2010s American Modern Sofas
Aluminum
20th Century Italian Modern Sofas
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s French Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Plastic
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
1980s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Feathers, Trimming, Wood, Upholstery, Silk, Damask
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Wood, Fabric, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Other
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
1990s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Sofas
Bronze
2010s German Modern Sofas
Fiberglass
20th Century Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Spanish Modern Sofas
Metal
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
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.