Sofas
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Sofas
Wood
1910s Italian Futurist Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century British Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Fabric
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood, Paint
1910s Vintage Sofas
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Egyptian Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century Gustavian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1910s Indian Vintage Sofas
Cotton
1790s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Sofas
Silk, Mahogany, Pine
1910s Indian Vintage Sofas
Cotton
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Sofas
Steel
Late 18th Century American Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Down, Fabric, Jute, Cotton, Upholstery, Maple
Late 18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Walnut
1780s Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Country Antique Sofas
Pine
1910s Hungarian Vintage Sofas
Wood
1770s Swiss Scandinavian Modern Antique Sofas
Leather
Late 18th Century French Belle Époque Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century British Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Serpentine
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Late 18th Century Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Down
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
1780s English Chippendale Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Sofas
Leather, Bentwood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 18th Century Louis XV Antique Sofas
Fruitwood
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Sofas
Leather, Oak
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Synthetic
1790s French Directoire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Paint, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Wood
1770s English Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
1910s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Sofas
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century Biedermeier Antique Sofas
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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