Sofas
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s Saudi Arabian Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mahogany, Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Sofas
Leather, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1960s Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak, Wool, Rattan
20th Century Louis XVI Sofas
Wood
20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Birch
2010s Asian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Rope, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1980s American Empire Revival Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
2010s European Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Animal Skin, Sheepskin, Beech
1970s Spanish Vintage Sofas
Textile, Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Leather, Suede
1980s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Paint, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century British Empire Antique Sofas
Velvet, Ebony
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Teak
1950s American Vintage Sofas
Wood
2010s French Art Deco Sofas
Mohair, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
2010s Emirian Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Sofas
Upholstery, Cherry
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Rosewood
1970s Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
19th Century American Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Rosewood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Pine
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass, Steel
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer, Spruce
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
2010s Austrian Sofas
Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Organic Modern Sofas
Textile
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
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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