Sofas
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Sofas
Bouclé
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Velvet, Beech
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bamboo, Rattan, Leather, Fabric, Cotton, Cane, Chestnut
Mid-20th Century American Ming Sofas
Mohair, Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal, Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Alpaca, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s German Vintage Sofas
Steel
Late 20th Century German Space Age Sofas
Fabric
20th Century Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
1980s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Beech
20th Century French Adam Style Sofas
Leather, Wood
1990s Swedish Sofas
Pine, Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Beech
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Teak
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Lucite, Walnut
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Rattan
1980s American Bohemian Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Velvet
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Walnut
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
1970s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1970s Belgian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Cane, Wood, Teak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Walnut
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Cord, Foam, Wood, Plywood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech, Oak
1990s French Modern Sofas
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
1980s Italian Vintage Sofas
Stainless Steel, Chrome
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Metal, Brass
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Cotton, Foam, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new 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. 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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