Sofas
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Hide, Sheepskin, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Beech, Wool
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Sofas
Foam
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Leather, Beech
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool, Cotton
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Metal
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Wood, Leather, Plastic
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1960s Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Linen, Wood
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Sofas
Brass
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Plywood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Elm
Early 2000s French Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s French Other Sofas
Fabric
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Leather
20th Century British Georgian Sofas
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
1970s Indonesian Colonial Revival Vintage Sofas
Bamboo
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Rattan, Oak
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Swedish Chesterfield Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Amethyst, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel, Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Hardwood
Late 19th Century English Country Antique Sofas
Brass
20th Century English Country Sofas
Brass
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Beech
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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Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
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Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere?
Get the lowdown on the ultrachic modular sofas that are currently taking up real estate in your Instagram saved folder.
How to Arrange Furniture + Layout Ideas
Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
April’s Most-Liked Interiors on Instagram
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
Trend Spotlight: Velvet Chesterfield Sofas
The plush-yet-elegant seating piece you'll want to curl up on all winter long.





