Wood Back Sofa
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Sofas
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique Early 18th Century Swedish Rococo Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s European Sofas
Wood
Late 20th Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Rustic Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Down
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Steel, Brass, Cut Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Steel, Brass, Cut Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Other Sofas
Faux Leather, Foam, Wood
20th Century Unknown Sectional Sofas
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Sofas
Wood, Leather, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sectional Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Ash
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Sofas
Linen, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Sofas
Wood, Cane
Early 2000s North American Modern Sofas
Chenille, Wood
Vintage 1980s European Post-Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1990s American Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Down
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1970s English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Upholstery
1990s American Bohemian Sofas
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Down
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Rococo Revival Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Other Sectional Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Other Sectional Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Portuguese Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Cord
2010s French French Provincial Buffets
Brass
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Settees
Linen, Wood
20th Century Victorian Loveseats
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish French Provincial Lounge Chairs
Leather, Jute, Wood, Linen
Antique Mid-19th Century Spanish Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Upholstery, Lucite, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1970s African Benches
Bamboo, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
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Wood Back Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Wood Back Sofa?
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.
- What is a curved back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Curved back sofas are also known as conversation sofas or crescent sofas. Curved sofas are highly coveted as comfortable seating as well as for being a unique seating option. Shop a wide selection of curved back sofas on 1stDibs.
- What is a split back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A split back sofa is a sofa which features a back that is made up of two separate panels. These panels can be reclined and adjusted separately from one another, allowing for customizable comfort. On 1stDibs, find a range of split back sofas.
- What is a Bow back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bow back sofa is a sofa which has a back that bows upward, forming a graceful curve that peaks at the center of the bench and tapers down to the arms. Chairs can also have a bow back design. Browse a collection of bow back furniture from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between high-back and low-back sofas is that the former has a taller backrest than the latter. Some people, especially tall men and women, feel that a high-back sofa is more comfortable because the taller back offers more support for the shoulders and neck. Low-back sofas are popular picks for open-plan interiors, as they allow sightlines to be maintained across a space. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of high-back and low-back sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024What a sofa without a back is called depends on its style. A divan is a casual, low backless sofa, often clad in fabric and tufted. More formal backless sofas, usually framed by scrolled arms, are recamiers. Find a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary sofas on 1stDibs.
- Which wood is best for sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The best wood types for furniture are all hard and durable wood types. This includes Walnut, Maple, Mahogany and Oak. Find a range of antique and vintage sofas on 1stDibs.
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