Used Sofas
135
46,803
5,975
to
3,660
28,306
23,527
52,552
52,552
52,552
18,998
4,258
3,927
933
605
377
351
315
207
206
172
169
124
72
71
70
29
17
1,034
4,280
41,354
5,989
1,717
23,279
12,102
178
79
272
1,114
1,877
6,406
9,062
7,827
1,704
626
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
23,768
2,217
943
442
316
236
158
135
115
111
92
155
24,085
23,386
15,299
14,694
8,204
34,184
12,952
12,506
9,894
8,194
1,407
881
772
742
708
Sort By
Mid-Century Modern Italian Modular Sofa Chairs
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Mid-Century Modern Italian Modular sofa chairs in cream fabric and metal base 1970s.
Stunning armchairs low seat modular sofas, both chairs are professional reupholstered in beautifu...
Category
1970s European Space Age Used Sofas
Materials
Metal
Large Victorian Country House Sofa
Located in Faversham, GB
A commanding mahogany Victorian country house sofa in the manner of Howard and Sons.
Featuring a wide, deep sprung seat with a stepped backrest and six large handmade duck feather c...
Category
1880s British Victorian Used Sofas
Materials
Brass
Sofa S32, Pierre Chapo, France, 1967
By Pierre Chapo
Located in La Tour-de-Peilz, CH
To understand this is not a piece of furniture like any other, you have to immerse yourself in the Chapo philosophy !
Complementary, prolific and tireless, the creative couple Nicol...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather, Elm
Enzo Minotti Italian Sofa in Luxurious Velvet, 1950s
By Minotti
Located in Bochum, NRW
Large sofa, four seats, designed by Enzo Minotti, Mid-Century Modern, 1950s.
Wooden structure reupholstered in luxurious Rubelli velvet. Wood feet.
Angular shaped design, with comfor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Mid 20th Century, Danish Banana Sofa
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bristol, GB
A 1930's Banana Sofa from Denmark, produced by Slagelse Møbelvaerk featuring excellent craftsmanship and the use of proper and traditional materials - solid beech, metal springs, jut...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Cotton, Beech
Florence Knoll Bench Sofa Model 578
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll Bench Style Sofa, model 578. Perfect to use as a guest bed when people stay over! Sold this sofa to a customer 20 plus years ago, they reupholstered it then! Still ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Metal
Gerard van den Berg 'Ringo' Three Seater Dark Brown Leather Sofa for Montis
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century 'Ringo' three seater sofa designed by Gerard van den Berg for Montis. Soft form sofa with heavy dark brown leather. Manufactured by Montis and designed in 1979 by renowne...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
H 28 in W 85 in D 40.5 in
Osvaldo Borsani D-70 Daybed for Techno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Convertible daybed by Osvaldo Borsani for Techno, c.1950s, Italy. Supported by a sturdy steel frame, this piece goes from sofa to bed with the turn of a dial. The unique design showc...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Steel, Brass
Georg Kofoed sofa from 1950’s, Denmark
By Georg Kofoed
Located in TOLLEBEEK, NL
Danish modern sofa designed by Georg Kofoed in 1940’s/50’s. Classic construction with a mahogany frame, original fabric upholstery with leather cord decoration.
Condition
Good, age ...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Cloud linen sofa
Located in Brea, CA
Experience the disarming softness and epic comfort of the Cloud sofa, made using natural materials and ancient craft. Each sofa is filled with goose down feathers, the simplest form ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Linen
Cini Boeri 'Strips' Italian Modular Mid-Century Sofa for Arflex
By Cini Boeri
Located in London, GB
A large modular sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex.
Italy, c1970s.
'Strips' model.
Two main elements with an ottoman, which can be placed in front or in the middle creating a gap.
...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric
1990s Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Boston, MA
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud sofa for Directional, circa 1990s. Postmodern curves and design. Lucite bar complimented by two round plinth bases. Plush cushioning for cloud like lo...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Three-seater mohair velvet sofa
Located in PARIS, FR
3/4-seater Italian-style velvet sofa from the 1970s. Very good condition.
DV642
Category
Mid-20th Century Used Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Set of mid century french style SPACE AGE cocktail sofa and chairs - 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, around 1970s
- beautiful space age design
- dimensiosn of chairs : height: 80cm, depth: 67, width: 63cm
- the set is predestined to be newly upholstered in new tex...
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Space Age Used Sofas
Materials
Chrome
H 31.5 in W 56.7 in D 26.38 in
Mid Century Modern 1960’s Teak and Boucle Sofa Bed by Greaves & Thomas
By Greaves and Thomas
Located in London, GB
We’re happy to provide our own competitive shipping quotes with trusted couriers. Please message us with your postcode for a more accurate price. Thank you.
This stunning mid-centur...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Teak
H 29.14 in W 80.71 in D 29.93 in
Danish Three-Seater Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, Mid Century
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Bristol, GB
The handsome 'Capella' sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, with an elegant solid oak frame that displays a relaxed stance and slatted back. The sofa has been fully restored wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Linen, Oak
Designer Sofa Bed , Black Velvet , Timeless look , Anfibio by Alessandro Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi, Giovannetti
Located in Milano, IT
Convertible Sofa - Sofa Bed - Iconic Two Seater Sofa - Timeless Design -
Designed in 1965, the Anfibio Sofa by Alessandro Becchi is one of the most iconic convertible sofa beds eve...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Velvet, Foam
H 27.56 in W 74.81 in D 47.25 in
Mid Century Modern Designer- Mel Smilow - Solid Walnut Case Sofa circa 1950s
By Mel Smilow
Located in Ocean Grove, NJ
Rare solid walnut case sofa by American designer, Mel Smilow. Mel Smilow is a lesser know designer from the mid century time period, but he created some amazing minimalist but beaut...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
H 29 in W 84.5 in D 32 in
Daybed by Pierre Chapo Model L06A
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A vintage daybed designed around 1960 by French designer Pierre Chapo. The model name is L06A. The mattress has been reupholstered with high-quality bouclé fabric. It has an assembly...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Elm
Vintage Boho John Hutton for Donghia “Merbau” Rush Sofa
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in west palm beach, FL
Elevate your living space with the Vintage Boho John Hutton for Donghia Block Island Rattan Sofa. Crafted in the USA, this iconic piece merges bohemian flair with American craftsmans...
Category
Late 20th Century Haitian Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Rattan
Sesann sofa by Gianfranco Frattini, for Cassina, Italy, 1960's
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels , BE
Sesann sofa by Gianfranco Frattini, for Cassina, Italy, 1960's
Leather and chrome tubular metal
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Chrome
Rattan sofa by Maugrion for Roche Bobois, made in France, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Lyon, FR
Gorgeous rattan sofa, made in France by Maugrion "Le rotin prestige" (the prestigious rattan), for Roche Bobois, in 1980s.
3 seats sofa in rattan, newly upholstered with a pistachio ...
Category
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Rattan
Vintage Italian Ruched Cognac Leather Mid-Century Modern Seating Set, 1970s
Located in Zagreb, HR
A beautiful three-part Mid-Century-Modern modular Italian seating set in ruched cognac leather, consisting of two armchairs and one three-seater sofa.
Overall in very good vintage c...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
H 29.14 in W 82.68 in D 39.38 in
Olivier Mourgue, Djinn Sofa, 1965
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in London, GB
This iconic Space Age sofa was designed by Olivier Mourgue and made popular by Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968).
Olivier Mourgue is a French industrial ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Space Age Used Sofas
Materials
Suede
Expertly Restored Adrian Pearsall Armless Gondola Sofa for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Medina, OH
The epitome of mid-century modern design is the Armless Gondola designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the 1960s. This specific unit has been expertly restored by Cople...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Cotton, Foam, Walnut
H 27.5 in W 30 in D 100 in
Italian modern Brown leather modular sofa Paione by Salocchi for Sormani, 1970s
By Claudio Salocchi, Sormani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Brown leather modular sofa Paione by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, 1970s
Modular sofa mod. Paione entirely in camel brown leather. The 3 modules are: a rectangular pou...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
H 24.41 in W 124.02 in D 40.16 in
Curved Danish Sofa Designed by Georg Thams for Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik
Located in Bristol, GB
A stunning Danish sofa, designed by Georg Thams for Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik. This sofa has a wonderfully welcoming curved profile and sweeping armrests with the typically mid-centur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Linen, Teak
H 29.93 in W 90.56 in D 29.53 in
Vintage Coastal Stacked Rattan Sectional Sofa
Located in west palm beach, FL
Transform your space with coastal allure using this Vintage Coastal Stacked Rattan Sectional Sofa. Crafted with American craftsmanship, its stacked rattan design exudes both durabili...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Rattan
White Sofa
Located in Napa, CA
White sofa
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
Teak Daybed Sofa by Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs, Finland 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Rīga, LV
This minimalist sofa is made of two teak boards on solid beech wood legs. Zipped cushions are removable, there’re 2 upholstery options - green Marimekko fabric inside.
Additional in...
Category
20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Mid- Century Moderne sofa in sheepskin, Kamin by Fredrik Kayser, Norway 1950s
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad, Adolf Relling
Located in Bergen, NO
Designed in 1946 by Norwegian designers Adolf Relling & Fredrik Kayser, this “Kaminstol” (or "Fireplace chair/sofa") is a distinct early Norwegian modern design. Besides the unique l...
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Lambskin, Teak
H 28.35 in W 55.12 in D 23.63 in
Fully renovated ART DECO sofa, 1930´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This ART DECO style sofa was designed and made in the 1930´s in the former Czechoslovakia. It was most likely made by Líšen company.
It features a very interesting design similar to ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Divano Ulisse biesse
Located in Nocera Inferiore, IT
Divano Letto ulisse biesse a busta completo di cuscini Biesse Il Divano Letto è composto da 2 pianali amezzaluna in multistrati,il sottostante ruotando in avanti determina un Letto c...
Category
1670s Italian Used Sofas
Materials
Other
Vintage Boho Italian Logo Biomorphic Sofas - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
An exceptional pair of vintage Boho sofa. Custom built in a chic biomorphic shape. Great together but also work beautifully apart. Covered in a logo jacquard. The sofas come from a m...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Bohemian Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Antique Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in London, GB
A large and very impressive antique leather Chesterfield sofa. This was made in England & we would date it to around the 1880-1890’s period.
The quality is outstanding, this is extr...
Category
1880s British Late Victorian Used Sofas
Materials
Leather, Wood
Leather togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Athens, Attiki
Togo toffee leather 3-seater sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1973.
A Ligne Roset classic of all-foam cushion seating with no hard points. Michel Ducaroy’s Togo has been the u...
Category
1970s French Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
Denmark Three-seater sofa 3303 Airport by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1993
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in MIlano, IT
Denmark Three-seater sofa 3303 Airport by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1993
Three-seater sofa mod. 3303 Airport with square seat and backrest, padded and covered in red fabric. Sq...
Category
1990s Danish Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Metal
H 29.53 in W 69.69 in D 31.11 in
Italian modern red sofa Bocca by Studio 65 for Gufram, 1970s
By Gufram Furniture
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red sofa Bocca by Studio 65 for Gufram, 1970s
Bocca model sofa, in fact it is in the shape of giant lips, padded with cold expanded polyurethane with differentiated lo...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Vintage Italian Space Age Sculptural Cloud Modular Sofa Set in Brown Velvet
Located in Zagreb, HR
A beautiful two-part Mid-Century-Modern modular seating set, attributed to Claudio Vagnoni for 1P Italy.
Late 1960s production.
Foam and metal construction, thick velvet upholstery.
...
Category
1960s Italian Space Age Used Sofas
Materials
Metal
H 29.93 in W 89.77 in D 33.86 in
Gerard Van Den Berg 'Ringo' Three Seater Sofa for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century 'Ringo' three seater sofa designed by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis. Soft form sofa with thick leather.Manufactured by Montis and designed by co-founder Gerard van den B...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
sofa height 113 cm seat height 45...
Category
1890s Norwegian Biedermeier Used Sofas
Materials
Mahogany
Sofa by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Milo Baughman's tapered leg sofa, adorned with a fresh Herman Miller, Alexander Girard fabric and new foam, exudes timeless sophistication. The sleek, tapered legs provide a modern t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Jules Heumann for Metropolitan furniture leather sofa in fiberglass frame
By Metropolitan, Jules Heumann
Located in Ferndale, MI
Couch designed by Jules Heumann for his company California based Metropolitan furniture . Label reads " Metropolitan imported from San Francisco " .
Fiberglass frame with solid wood ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather, Fiberglass
Sven Ellekaer leather sofa produced by Coja
By Coja Culemborg, Sven Ellekaer
Located in Bern, CH
Sven Ellekaer 2 seater leather sofa, produced by Coja. Natural nubuck leather with oak frame.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather, Oak
Italian modern modular Cannaregio sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, 1987
By Gaetano Pesce, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern modular Cannaregio sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, 1987
Cannaregio model sofa composed of three modules that can be positioned as desired, united or distant. The su...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Wood
H 36.62 in W 106.7 in D 39.38 in
Vintage Coastal Comfort Designs Pencil Reed Sectional Sofa
By Comfort Design Furniture
Located in west palm beach, FL
A spectacular vintage Coastal sectional sofa. Made by the iconic Comfort Designs and tagged below. A stunning pencil reed frame with a cool wave motif. Original upholstery in great s...
Category
Late 20th Century American Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Reed
Italian modern five modules sofa in blue velvet, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern five modules sofa in blue velvet, 1980s
Modular sofa in blue velvet composed of five modules. The modules are three central twins and two with armrests. The seats and ...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Velvet, Plastic
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Style Three-Piece Sectional Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in South San Francisco, CA
Newly re-upholstered in high-quality bouclé.
durable and scotch guarded
comes apart easily into three sections
This is a consigned piece sold by a vintage seller. This item is avai...
Category
1970s Used Sofas
Materials
Bouclé
Hans J. Wegner for Getama Signed Sofa with new Mataram Upholstery
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Hans Wegner for Getama in 1955, the 240 “Cigar” sofa features classic Danish minimalist elegance in craftsmanship and manufacture. Iconic sculpted arms and legs give the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Teak
Striking Art Deco design sofa in excellent condition
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this hand-patinated cognac-colored sofa made of beautiful sheep leather.
This 2.5-seater sofa is beautifully upholstered with sheep leather and hand patinated in a warm c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Art Deco Used Sofas
Materials
Leather, Sheepskin
MCM Dessin Fournir Sofa in Grey-Brown-Olive Tone Velvet
Located in Austin, TX
The graceful and simple MCM lines, quality craftsmanship and upholstery captured my attention with this Gerard sofa from the Dessin Fournir Collections. In particular, the richly sat...
Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Thonet Kanapee No.3, 1860
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Rare collector's item: A well-preserved, stable Thonet sofa with a Viennese wicker seat that was restored a few years ago. Designation in the Thonet catalog from 1904: Sofa No. 3.
Th...
Category
1860s Austrian Art Nouveau Used Sofas
Materials
Bentwood, Braid
2000s Modern Gray Leather Sofa Pierson Room & Board
By Room and Board
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modern Gray Leather Sofa by Room & Board
relaxed seating down blend cushions sleek modern profile
102 long x 40 d x 26.5 h Arm rest 22 h Seat 16 h
Preowned original unrestored vinta...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
Amphibious Sofa by A.Becchi from Giovanetti 1970s Leather
By Alessandro Becchi, Giovannetti
Located in Lucca, IT
Anfibio Sofa in cognac-colored leather , by Alessandro Becchi produzione Giovannetti , this sofa was and is incredibly successful, it is one of the most iconic sofas designed in the ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
Vintage Custom Hand-Crafted Chippendale Camelback Sofa After George Hepplewhite
Located in Cookeville, TN
Lovely Chippendale style loveseat/settee with gorgeous pineapple upholstery, by Stateville and Ross of North Carolina. wood is beautiful and in great condition. The fabric is also in...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 24 in W 76 in D 30 in
Black leather sofa Terrazza Ubald
By Ubald Klug
Located in PARIS, FR
Modular sofa Terrazza 'DS-1025' in black padded leather by designer Ubald Klug (born in 1932) for the Swiss firm De Sede, 1970s. The design of this sofa was inspired by waves, waterf...
Category
Mid-20th Century Used Sofas
Materials
Leather
Frits Henningsen Style Settee
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Frits Henningsen style settee in collaboration with Elizabeth Law of Elizabeth Law Design. Born and raised in South Carolina, Law draws inspiration from the discoveries of her travel...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Vintage Boho Biomorphic Velvet Sofa
Located in west palm beach, FL
A sensational vintage Boho sofa. A chic biomorphic shape in a pale apricot velvet. Custom built and in great shape. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category
Late 20th Century American Bohemian Used Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
For Allison Sheepskin/Shearling Sofa and two lounge chairs 'Samspel"
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This is for Allison, one sofa and two lounge chairs.
Item Reference
LU4154138829682
LU4154138829492
This model” Samspel” sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and manufact...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Used Sofas
Materials
Sheepskin
Free Shipping
H 33.08 in W 63 in D 31.89 in
Vintage Rococo Cane Sofa Upholstered in European Hemp Linen Fabric with Down
Located in Brea, CA
Late 19th century to Early 20th century Rococo style sofa with original green and French gray color paint with original distress aged finish.
Size: 80”w x 36”d x 39”h
Seat H:21”
S...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Used Sofas
Materials
Linen, Hemp, Cane, Wood, Down
- 1
- ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Used Sofas", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Used Sofas For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of used sofas is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique used sofas was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and animal skin. Used sofas have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of used sofas to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Scandinavian Modern used sofas are of considerable interest. De Sede, Edward Wormley and Vladimir Kagan each produced beautiful used sofas that are worth considering.
How Much are Used Sofas?
Prices for used sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, used sofas begin at $1 and can go as high as $260,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,837.
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.
More Ways To Browse
Vintage Rattan Sectional
English Georgian Sofa
Vico Magistretti Carimate Chairs
Antique Chesterfield Couch
Antique Chesterfield Sofa Sofas
Antique Chesterfield Sofa
Bamboo Dining Arm Chairs
Carimate Chair
Carimate Chairs
Chesterfield Antique Sofa
Magistretti Chair Carimate
Antique Chesterfield Sofa Furniture
Camaleonda Modular
Classic Chesterfield Sofa
Feather Suite
Paul Frankl 3 Strand
Vintage 1940s Rattan Chairs
1940s Mahogany Dining Chairs