Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Wool, Bouclé, Cotton, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Cane, Rattan
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Cotton, Foam, Plywood
1990s French Modern Sofas
Velvet
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine, Paint
1970s Swiss Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wool
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
2010s Sofas
Cord
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Plastic
Late 20th Century French Sofas
Leather, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Textile
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Textile
1970s Italian Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Swiss Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Sofas
Chrome
1970s Swiss Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Maple, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Linen, Oak
2010s Spanish Modern Sofas
Linen, Hemp
Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Sofas
Plastic, Foam
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Mohair, Velvet, Oak, Walnut
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile, Maple
2010s Italian Sofas
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Felt
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
20th Century American Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Grasscloth, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Wool, Cotton, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
2010s American Modern Sofas
Sheepskin
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé
1930s Finnish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Pine
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Ultrasuede
Mid-20th Century Belgian Space Age Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
2010s Austrian Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Plastic
Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new 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. 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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