Sofas
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
1920s British Victorian Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century British Victorian Sofas
Leather, Beech
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary British Victorian Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Giltwood
20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1870s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Sofas
Nutwood
1980s Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Walnut
1870s Swedish Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Sofas
Gold, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Oak
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Louis XV Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1890s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century English Late Victorian Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood, Silk, Walnut
Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Down, Mohair, Walnut
20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Fabric
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Silk, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Walnut, Velvet
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Giltwood
1880s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
1880s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Linen, Hemp, Cane, Wood, Down
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Down, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Cane, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Sofas
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Victorian Sofas
Leather
1880s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut, Organic Material
1890s American Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Mohair
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Tapestry, Giltwood
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Beech, Oak, Leather
1830s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s British Victorian Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century Italian Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1840s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Sofas
Wood
1790s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
20th Century Louis XV Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Sofas
Wicker, Rattan, Bentwood
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
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.