Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Canvas, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Pine
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet, Foam
1970s Italian Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1920s American Neoclassical Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
2010s Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century Italian Sofas
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1930s American Louis XIV Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Canvas, Velvet, Walnut
2010s Italian Sofas
Metal, Other
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Oak
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Ultrasuede, Lucite, Wood
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Velvet
1950s Vintage Sofas
Beech
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
1950s Vintage Sofas
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wood, Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Walnut
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
20th Century English Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Teak
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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