Sofas
20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Chrome
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Cotton, Linen, Foam, Down
20th Century English Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak, Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Ultrasuede, Lucite, Wood
1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Textile
1960s Danish Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Brass
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Foam, Wood
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Sofas
Sheepskin, Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Velvet, Faux Fur, Ash
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1880s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
Early 2000s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s Italian Sofas
Other
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool, Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Sofas
Brass
20th Century Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Sapele Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
1840s Italian Louis Philippe Antique Sofas
Walnut
1970s European Vintage Sofas
Leather
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Synthetic
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Oak, Upholstery
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Walnut, Fabric, Foam
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Canvas, Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Cherry, Burl
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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