Sofas
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Asian Sofas
Rope, Teak
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Upholstery
2010s Asian Sofas
Rope, Teak
1980s Vintage Sofas
Cowhide, Leather
2010s Asian Sofas
Rope, Teak
2010s Sofas
Rope, Teak
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Ultrasuede, Foam
2010s Sofas
Fabric
1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Sofas
Velvet, Beech, Feathers
1980s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Fabric, Rattan, Foam, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Swiss Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Sofas
Velvet
Late 20th Century Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Down, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Pine
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Foam
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Sofas
Cotton, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Bauhaus Sofas
Chrome
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Fiberglass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s Indian Vintage Sofas
Cowhide, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Fabric
2010s Chinese Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, 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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