Sofas
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Teak
2010s German Post-Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Bauhaus Sofas
Stainless Steel
1990s North American Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Linen
20th Century French Art Deco Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s Austrian Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
Late 20th Century French Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Sofas
Bouclé, Beech
20th Century Italian Art Deco Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Acrylic, Faux Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Mirror
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Fabric, Cane, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1910s Indian Vintage Sofas
Cotton
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Velvet
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
1880s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Oak
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Cotton, Velvet, Walnut, Pine
Early 2000s German Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1710s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Brass
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
2010s Mexican Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
19th Century English Antique Sofas
Hardwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass, Lucite
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Turkestan Sofas
Metallic Thread
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Teak
20th Century Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage 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.
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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.