Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rush, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Organic Modern Sofas
Chenille, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s American Modern Sofas
Maple
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Velvet
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
2010s Sofas
Linen
2010s Dutch Sofas
Leather, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Walnut
2010s Dutch Sofas
Upholstery
2010s French Modern Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Bouclé
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Sofas
Fabric, Faux Leather
2010s Moroccan Modern Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Unknown Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Lacquer
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Feathers
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Sofas
Wool
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Industrial Sofas
Iron
Late 20th Century French Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
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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