Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1970s French Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Canvas, Velvet, Walnut
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Oak, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Chrome
2010s Italian Sofas
Metal, Other
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1930s American Louis XIV Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Sofas
Cane
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Sofas
Brass
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
Mid-20th Century European Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Wood, Leather, Plastic
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Ultrasuede, Lucite, Wood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Aluminum, Iron, Nickel
2010s American Modern Sofas
Cut Steel
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood, Walnut
1970s Danish Chesterfield Vintage Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
20th Century American Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Oak, Burl, Leather, Bouclé, Wood, Linen, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Leather
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Sofas
Velvet
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Fabric
20th Century Sofas
Fabric, Pine
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Elm
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Alpaca, Wood
20th Century English Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Teak
Early 20th Century Mission Sofas
Faux Leather, Oak
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Leather, Ash
20th Century Italian Sofas
Leather
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Sofas
Wicker, Resin
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, 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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Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.