Sofas
Late 20th Century German Bauhaus Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Wood, Down
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Birch
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Foam
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Fabric, Foam, Down
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Early 1800s Italian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Down
1990s American Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Feathers
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1810s Federal Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1950s Italian Vintage Sofas
Metal
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary British Sofas
Cotton, Linen
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
Late 20th Century Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Sofas
Linen, Foam, Wood, Down
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Cane, Wood, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Wood, Down
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Wood, Fabric, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Upholstery
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile
19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
1970s Swedish Chesterfield Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Birch
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Birch
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Fabric
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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Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
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The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.