1950 Danish Sofa

1960s Scandinavian Couch

1959 Wood Couch

Danish Wood Furniture

Velour Couch

Couch Danish Green

Teak Sofa Scandinavian

Sofa Denmark 3 Seater

Velour Sofas

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Oak, Teak

Danish Modern Sofa by Arne Hovmand-Olsen 1956

$7,601

Danish Mid-Century Sofa in Solid Oak, 1950s

Located in Lejre, DK

Sofa upholstered in fabric and solid oak. Designed and made in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Danish Mid-Century Sofa in Solid Oak, 1950s

$2,500

1950s Vintage Danish Teak Sofa by Peter Hvidt Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen

By Hvidt Mølgaard

Located in London, GB

A stunning and very rare vintage Danish teak sofa, this was designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Teak

1950s Vintage Danish Teak Sofa by Peter Hvidt Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen

$5,003

Frits Henningsen Sofa Table in rosewood, Denmark, 1950s

By Frits Henningsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Frits Henningsen sofa table in rosewood, with aluminium details. Made by Frits Henningsen in the

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Frits Henningsen Sofa Table in rosewood, Denmark, 1950s

$1,187

Frits Henningsen Sofa Table in Oak, Denmark, 1950s

By Frits Henningsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Frits Henningsen sofa table in solid oak with great details in the craftmanship. Made by Frits

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Oak

Frits Henningsen Sofa Table in Oak, Denmark, 1950s

$1,781

Frits Henningsen Sofa Table in rosewood, Denmark, 1950s

By Frits Henningsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Frits Henningsen sofa table in rosewood. Made by Frits Henningsen in the 1950s.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Frits Henningsen Sofa Table in rosewood, Denmark, 1950s

$2,612

Danish Modern Three-Seater Cream Sofa with Teak Paws

Located in Berkeley, CA

This Danish modern atomic mid century three seater sofa hails from the late 1950s and is an

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Teak

Danish Modern Three-Seater Cream Sofa with Teak Paws

$3,900

Mid-Century Modern Finn Juhl France Son Denmark Danish Teak Rare Japan Sofa

By Finn Juhl, France Søn

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

For your consideration is a stunning, Danish, teak Japan sofa by Finn Juhl for France & Son. It is

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Finn Juhl France Son Denmark Danish Teak Rare Japan Sofa

$6,800

Vintage Danish Midcentury Modern Scandinavian Brown Leather 3-Seater Sofa, 1950s

Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie

This three-seater Mid-Century Modern vintage sofa was made in Denmark during the 1950s. The sofa is

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Danish Midcentury Modern Scandinavian Brown Leather 3-Seater Sofa, 1950s

$2,655

Vintage Danish Midcentury Modern Scandinavian Brown Leather 3-Seater Sofa, 1950s

Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie

This three-seater Mid-Century Modern vintage sofa was made in Denmark during the 1950s. The sofa is

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Danish Midcentury Modern Scandinavian Brown Leather 3-Seater Sofa, 1950s

$3,319

Swedish Mid-Century Beech Red Mohair Sofa, c. 1950 s

Located in Norwalk, CT

& Red Mohair Sofa. A sublime ode to the 1950s, this piece flawlessly embodies the spirit and artistry of

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Beech

Swedish Mid-Century Beech Red Mohair Sofa, c. 1950 s

$4,100

Danish Upholstered Sofa in the Style of Finn Juhl

By Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Danish upholstered high back sofa. Newly redone, very nice size and scale, measuring 79" and 30

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Danish Upholstered Sofa in the Style of Finn Juhl

$5,500

Danish Vintage Teak Sofa Bed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen

By Peter Hvidt, France Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen

Located in London, GB

A stunning, rare and very early Danish vintage teak sofa bed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Bouclé, Teak

Danish Vintage Teak Sofa Bed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen

$2,673

Arne Vodder Loveseat Sofa by Ivan Schlechter in Denmark

By Arne Vodder

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare sofa designed by Arne Vodder. Produced by Ivan Schlechter in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Arne Vodder Loveseat Sofa by Ivan Schlechter in Denmark

$8,313

Magnus Stephensen Sofa by A.J. Iversen in Denmark

By Magnus Stephensen

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Very rare sofa designed by Magnus Stephensen. Produced by A.J. Iversen in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Oak

Magnus Stephensen Sofa by A.J. Iversen in Denmark

$29,692

Danish 50s Spindle Back Wide Arm Three Seat Sofa

Located in Miami, FL

SOLD Beautifully tapered legs and shaped wide oak arms highlight this Danish three seat sofa

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Oak, Teak

Danish 50s Spindle Back Wide Arm Three Seat Sofa

$2,000

Loveseat Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl, Denmark

By Finn Juhl

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Loveseat sofa in the manner of Finn Juhl probably produced in Denmark. We recommend to re-upholster.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Beech

Loveseat Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl, Denmark

$4,750

Finn Juhl Danish Modern Upholstered Sculpted Teak Sofa, 1950s

By Finn Juhl

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous mid-century Danish Modern sofa Attributed to Finn Juhl Denmark, 1950s Sculpted teak

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

Finn Juhl Danish Modern Upholstered Sculpted Teak Sofa, 1950s

$5,995

Classic Danish Midcentury Frits Henningsen Style Three-Seat Sofa

By Frits Henningsen

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Classic Danish midcentury sofa from the early 1950s. The wooden frame on the armrests and the

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Beech

Classic Danish Midcentury Frits Henningsen Style Three-Seat Sofa

$1,850

Sofa Attributed to Kurt Olsen and Produced in Denmark

By Kurt Olsen

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sofa attributed to Kurt Olsen. Produced in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak, Teak

Sofa Attributed to Kurt Olsen and Produced in Denmark

$5,344

Danish Teak Daybed Sofa by Peter Hvidt for France Daverkosen

Located in Peabody, MA

, Denmark, ca. 1950s. Rare early version of this classic sofa, with bronzed hardware.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Sofas

Materials

Teak, Upholstery

Danish Teak Daybed Sofa by Peter Hvidt for France Daverkosen

$3,250

Ole Wanscher Senator sofa by France Son in Denmark

By Ole Wanscher

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare sofa model 166 / Senator designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by France & Son in Denmark

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Teak

Ole Wanscher Senator sofa by France Son in Denmark

$5,938

Poul Kjaerholm PK31/2 Sofa Pair EKC, Denmark, 1957

By Poul Kjærholm

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Amazing matching pair of sofas designed by Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by Ejvind Kold

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Stainless Steel

Poul Kjaerholm PK31/2 Sofa Pair EKC, Denmark, 1957

$28,445 / set

Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Sofa in Oak and New Bouclé Fabric, Denmark, 1950s

By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia

Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland

Børge Mogensen sofa in solid oak and new bouclé fabric - Denmark, circa 1950. New upholstery and

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Sofa in Oak and New Bouclé Fabric, Denmark, 1950s

$4,988

1950s, Danish 2 seater drop arm sofa, original red furniture wool, oak wood.

Located in Tarm, 82

1950s, Danish 2 seater drop arm sofa. Original striped red furniture wool, oak wood. Seat

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Oak

1950s, Danish 2 seater drop arm sofa, original red furniture wool, oak wood.

$2,078

Customizable Johannes Andersen Sofa Capri for Trensum, Denmark, 1958

By Johannes Andersen

Located in Wrocław, Poland

This is an iconic piece of Danish design that is part of the prestigious Capri series by Johannes

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Customizable Johannes Andersen Sofa Capri for Trensum, Denmark, 1958

$5,700

Three-Seater Sofa Upholstered In Green Fabric With Teak Details, Denmark 1950s

Located in Hellouw, NL

Three-seater sofa upholstered in green fabric with teak details.This three-seater meets the

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Three-Seater Sofa Upholstered In Green Fabric With Teak Details, Denmark 1950s

$4,554

Curved 1950s Scandinavian Sofa or Loveseat, Slagelse, Denmark, 1950s

By Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Slagelse Møbelværk two seat love sofa new upholstered with bouclé and cognac aniline tubing and

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Bouclé, Beech

Curved 1950s Scandinavian Sofa or Loveseat, Slagelse, Denmark, 1950s

$6,888

Midcentury Curved Velour Sofa from Denmark, 1950s

Located in Nashville, TN

Midcentury curved velour sofa from Denmark, 1950s. Green velour upholstery with legs of stained

Category

Vintage 1950s European Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Midcentury Curved Velour Sofa from Denmark, 1950s

$3,800

Danish 1950s original sofa by Kurt Østervig, Rolschau Møbler

By Kurt Østervig

Located in København K, DK

This beautiful sofa is a forerunner of the 50's beautiful and minimalist approach to design. The

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Beech, Teak

Danish 1950s original sofa by Kurt Østervig, Rolschau Møbler

$4,156

Frits Henningsen Kähler Sofa Table in mahogany, Denmark, 1950s

By Jens Thirslund, Kähler, Frits Henningsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Frits Henningsen sofa table in mahogany with Kähler tiles made by Jens Thirslund Made by Frits

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Mahogany

Frits Henningsen Kähler Sofa Table in mahogany, Denmark, 1950s

$2,850

Two person Sofa Designed by Bent Møller Jepsen with teak legs and nails, 1950

By Bent Moller Jepsen

Located in Lejre, DK

Two-person sofa, designed by Bent Møller Jepsen with teak legs and nails covered with patterned

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Two person Sofa Designed by Bent Møller Jepsen with teak legs and nails, 1950

$3,325

Danish Green Vintage wool sofa with rosewood frame

Located in London, GB

This striking vintage wool sofa captures the essence of mid-century design. Recently upholstered in

Category

Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Rosewood

Danish Green Vintage wool sofa with rosewood frame

$8,088

Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Kurt Østervig, 1960s

By Kurt Østervig

Located in Asaa, DK

Probably the most beautiful couch ever made in Denmark. Immensely elegant vintage design. This a

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Teak

Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Kurt Østervig, 1960s

$5,819

Danish Three-Seat Sofa by Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen

By Fritz Hansen, Folke Ohlsson

Located in Peabody, MA

Three seat sofa with flared arms, designed by Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, ca. 1950s.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Danish Three-Seat Sofa by Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen

$2,895

Danish Design 1960, "Banana" Vintage Sofa in Original Good Condition

Located in Tarm, 82

Danish sofa 3 seats "Banana" from the 1960s. Original good condition, no smells. Original red

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Danish Design 1960, "Banana" Vintage Sofa in Original Good Condition

$2,078

60s, Danish Design, Restored 2-Seater "Banana" Sofa, Genuine Sheepskin

Located in Tarm, 82

1960s, Danish designed 2-seater "Banana" sofa. Refurbished-reupholstered in quality genuine New

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Lambskin, Beech

60s, Danish Design, Restored 2-Seater "Banana" Sofa, Genuine Sheepskin

$4,513

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-240 by GETAMA in Denmark

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sofa model GE-240/Cigar designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by GETAMA in Denmark. Oak and original

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-240 by GETAMA in Denmark

$7,126

1960s, Danish vintage 2 seater sofa, original very good condition.

Located in Tarm, 82

1960s, Danish 2 seater sofa in original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Green/yellow

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Beech

1960s, Danish vintage 2 seater sofa, original very good condition.

$1,282

Børge Mogensen Sofa Model 2213 by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark

By Børge Mogensen

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sofa model 2213 designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Teak

Børge Mogensen Sofa Model 2213 by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark

$10,095

Chartreuse Green Danish Modern Sofa and Chair

Located in Kansas City, MO

Great looking high quality Danish modern sofa and chair. We are unsure of the designer and

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Teak, Upholstery

Chartreuse Green Danish Modern Sofa and Chair

$3,800

Midcentury Sofa in Patinated Leather, Danish Design 1950s, Cabinetmaker Quality

By Helge Vestergaard-Jensen

Located in Lejre, DK

Light curved three-seat sofa in patinated leather designed and made in Denmark. Great original

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Midcentury Sofa in Patinated Leather, Danish Design 1950s, Cabinetmaker Quality

$6,000

Hans Wegner Sofa Model Ge-240 by GETAMA in Denmark

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sofa model GE-240/cigar designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by GETAMA in Denmark. Original fabric

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Hans Wegner Sofa Model Ge-240 by GETAMA in Denmark

$6,532

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-240 by GETAMA in Denmark

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sofa model GE-240 / Cigar designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by GETAMA in Denmark. Oak and newly

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-240 by GETAMA in Denmark

$6,532

Danish Modern Three-Seat Sofa in Teak, Model PJ56/3

By Grete Jalk

Located in Courbevoie, FR

Scandinavian teak bench three-seater model PJ56 / three Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppersen . Lashing renovated. The cushions will be redone with fabric or leather of your choice among the...

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Sofas

Danish Modern Three-Seat Sofa in Teak, Model PJ56/3

$5,985

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-233 by GETAMA in Denmark

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Very rare sofa model GE-233 designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by GETAMA in Denmark. Matching pair

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-233 by GETAMA in Denmark

$5,344

Stunning Danish Modernist Sofa in the Manner of Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in Buffalo, NY

Classic Danish modern sofa, teak wood base and oatmeal color wool upholstery, stunning lines

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Stunning Danish Modernist Sofa in the Manner of Jens Risom

$3,900

Stunning Danish Modernist Sofa in the Manner of Jens Rise

By Jens Risom

Located in Buffalo, NY

Classic Danish modern sofa, teak wood base and oatmeal color wool upholstery, stunning lines

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Stunning Danish Modernist Sofa in the Manner of Jens Rise

$4,800

1950s, Danish Design, Sofa, Red-Cherry Velour, Original Very Good Condition

Located in Tarm, 82

50s, Danish 2 seater vintage sofa. Original upholstery in cherry-red velour in very good condition

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Beech

1950s, Danish Design, Sofa, Red-Cherry Velour, Original Very Good Condition

$1,247

Finn Juhl Coffee Table for France Daverkosen, 1950, Denmark

By Finn Juhl, France Daverkosen

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Very long teak coffee table mod 531 designed by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen Denmark from the

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Teak

Finn Juhl Coffee Table for France Daverkosen, 1950, Denmark

$4,513

Sofa Attributed to Tove Edvard Kindt-Larsen Produced in Denmark

By Tove Edvard Kindt-Larsen

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare sofa attributed to Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen. Produced in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Felt, Birch

Sofa Attributed to Tove Edvard Kindt-Larsen Produced in Denmark

$7,719

Illum Wikkelsø Sofa Model V11 by Holger Christiansen in Denmark

By Illum Wikkelsø

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare sofa model V11 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Holger Christiansen in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Illum Wikkelsø Sofa Model V11 by Holger Christiansen in Denmark

$14,846

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-258 by GETAMA in Denmark

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sofa or daybed model GE-258 designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by GETAMA in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Oak

Hans Wegner Sofa Model GE-258 by GETAMA in Denmark

$5,344

Nice Danish Sofa and Armchair Set, Wool and Oak, 1950s

Located in Paris, FR

Nice Danish lounge set from the 1950s composed of a tree-seat sofa and an armchair. Massive oak

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Oak, Wool

Nice Danish Sofa and Armchair Set, Wool and Oak, 1950s

$5,700 / set

Finn Juhl Japan Three-Seat Sofa by France Son, Denmark

By France Søn, Finn Juhl

Located in Utrecht, NL

Teak "Japan" series three-seat sofa by Danish designer Finn Juhl, designed in 1957 made by France

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Finn Juhl Japan Three-Seat Sofa by France Son, Denmark

$9,382

Scandinavian Sofa GE 290 Danish Designer Hans Wegner for GETAMA

By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Scandinavian sofa GE 290 by the famous Danish designer Hans Wegner, published by GETAMA in 1955

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Oak

Scandinavian Sofa GE 290 Danish Designer Hans Wegner for GETAMA

$5,819

Danish 1950s Sofa Attributed to Fritz Hansen Model 1669 Variant

By Fritz Hansen

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Very classic and ultra cool Danish three-seat sofa epitomizing the 1950s and likely a variant of

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Beech

Danish 1950s Sofa Attributed to Fritz Hansen Model 1669 Variant

$8,400

Seating Under $2,000

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1950 Danish Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic 1950 Danish sofa available at 1stDibs. Each 1950 Danish sofa for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and hardwood. Find 782 options for an antique or vintage 1950 Danish sofa now, or shop our selection of 3 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a 1950 Danish sofa — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A 1950 Danish sofa made by Scandinavian Modern designers — as well as those associated with Mid-Century Modern — is very popular. Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA and Finn Juhl each produced at least one beautiful 1950 Danish sofa that is worth considering.

How Much is a 1950 Danish Sofa?

Prices for a 1950 Danish sofa can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $600 and can go as high as $114,454, while the average can fetch as much as $5,500.

Finding the Right Sofas for You

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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