Sofas
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s American Modern Sofas
Maple, Velvet
1950s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Sofas
Bouclé
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Wood, Down
1920s Spanish Spanish Colonial Vintage Sofas
Cane, Bentwood
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Mexican Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s Italian Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Cane, Wood, Teak
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
1980s Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Wood, Fabric, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Birch
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Beech, Wool
1970s Swedish Chesterfield Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Foam, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Birch
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
2010s Sofas
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Sofas
Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Wood, Fabric, Beech
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
1970s European Vintage Sofas
Suede
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Sofas
Linen, Wood
20th Century Chippendale Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary British Sofas
Cotton, Linen
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Sofas
Bentwood, Plywood
1970s Danish Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Plywood
Mid-20th Century European Art Nouveau Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Steel
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen, Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
Late 20th Century Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s German Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
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.
Read More
Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
Get the lowdown on the ultrachic modular sofas that are currently taking up real estate in your Instagram saved folder.
How to Arrange Furniture + Layout Ideas
Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
April’s Most-Liked Interiors on Instagram
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
Trend Spotlight: Velvet Chesterfield Sofas
The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.