Sofas
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Elm
1880s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Upholstery
19th Century English Antique Sofas
Brass
1940s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Brass
19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Sofas
Linen, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Anglo-Japanese Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Austrian Black Forest Antique Sofas
Wood, Antler
19th Century British Georgian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Elm
1890s Danish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Bronze
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile, Maple
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut, Burl
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Empire Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut, Burl
1940s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Maple
Mid-19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Sofas
Pine, Paint
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Sofas
Leather, Velvet, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Beech
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
Early 19th Century George IV Antique Sofas
Leather, Wood
1940s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Rattan
Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Silk, Walnut
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair
1860s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Sofas
Teak
19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Antique Sofas
Ebony, Walnut
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Rattan, Beech
1810s Federal Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1830s Federal Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Wood, Burl
1840s Italian Louis Philippe Antique Sofas
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Georgian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
1870s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
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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