Sofas
1960s American Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
2010s American Bauhaus Sofas
Foam, Abalone, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Emirian Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool
1920s Empire Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1860s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Sofas
Beech
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Sofas
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s German Sofas
Aluminum
19th Century European Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1840s Indian Regency Antique Sofas
Cane, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century British Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood, Paint
20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal, Chrome
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede, Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Oak
1960s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Organic Modern Sofas
Foam, Wool
Early 20th Century English Country Sofas
Cotton, Wood
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Brazilian Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Lucite
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Metal
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Sofas
Chrome, Steel
1980s French Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Formica
21st Century and Contemporary British Chesterfield 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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How to Arrange Furniture + Layout Ideas
Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
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Trend Spotlight: Velvet Chesterfield Sofas
The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.