Sofas
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Chrome
20th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Plastic
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wicker
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
20th Century Sofas
Leather
1990s Modern Sofas
Cotton, Foam, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Plastic
2010s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Other
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s American Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
19th Century Italian Charles X Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
1970s American Vintage Sofas
Chrome
Late 20th Century Haitian Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Spanish Modern Sofas
Aluminum, Steel
2010s Ukrainian Post-Modern Sofas
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Other
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric, Leather, Textile
20th Century Dutch Sofas
Leather, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
1980s American Vintage Sofas
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Spanish Sofas
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Velvet
2010s Portuguese Sofas
Fabric
Late 19th Century French Directoire Antique Sofas
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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