Sofas
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Sofas
Walnut, Silk
Late 19th Century Hungarian Baroque Antique Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Bronze
20th Century American Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
Early 2000s American Baroque Sofas
Textile, Wood
2010s English Louis XVI Sofas
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Wood, Giltwood, Fabric, Upholstery, Linen, Foam
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Baroque Sofas
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Sofas
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Sofas
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Sofas
Gold, Gold Leaf
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Beech
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Sofas
Velvet
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Giltwood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Alpaca, Wood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Alpaca, Wood
20th Century Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
1920s American Baroque Vintage Sofas
Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1890s Scandinavian Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1960s Italian Baroque Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Satin, Silk, Wood
1940s American Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Faux Leather, Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Sofas
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Louis XVI Sofas
Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Sofas
Wood
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Giltwood
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wrought Iron
2010s Indian Louis XVI Sofas
Metal
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet, Giltwood
2010s American Louis XVI Sofas
Maple, Fabric
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Fruitwood, Giltwood
19th Century German Baroque Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Walnut
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Wood
19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
2010s American Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Maple
19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Other
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
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.