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American Sofas, Couches & Chaises

Sofas in America are considered one of the essential furnishings in the home. Your couch is where your family watches the big game, where your out-of-town friend sleeps when he visits, where you curl up with a good book on a cold winter night.

Until the early 19th century, Americans provided seating only with hard wooden chairs and on the side of the bed, which was also located in a common room. When homes began featuring individual bedrooms and comfort became more important, the upholstered sofa made its appearance. By the Victorian period, many homeowners bought parlor sets, which included a couch, along with a lady’s chair, a man’s chair and four side chairs.

The 20th century began an era of informality in the U.S., and that notion extended into the home. Antique sofas and parlor sets went by the wayside, and sofas began being sold individually. The sectional sofa was invented during the Great Depression, and by the 1960s, sofas were manufactured from hunks of upholstered foam that led to more interesting shapes and sizes.

In the first half of the 20th century, Hollywood popularized the chaise lounge, a popular European furniture piece that is a cross between a sofa and a chair. Today, many American homes feature chaises as part of the outdoor living trend or antique chaises as part of a master bedroom suite.


Quick Facts

  • Most people today set on their sofas on the average of four hours a day
  • An average of 13 meals a month are eaten on sofas
  • Salvador Dali created a sofa inspired by the lips of Hollywood icon Mae West

Recommended Items at Auction

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Ethan Allen Brown Leather Coach 31 x 86 x 36 in. (78.7 x 218.4 x 91.4 cm.)
Nov 18, 6:00 PM EST
Ethan Allen Brown Leather Coach 31 x 86 x 36 in. (78.7 x 218.4 x 91.4 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$2708 Bids
A Pair of Baker Knole Sofas
Nov 20, 9:00 AM PST
A Pair of Baker Knole Sofas
by Abell Auction
Est: $300- $500
$6006 Bids
Ethan Allen Brown Leather Sofa 31 x 86 x 36 in. (78.7 x 218.4 x 91.4 cm.)
Nov 18, 6:00 PM EST
Ethan Allen Brown Leather Sofa 31 x 86 x 36 in. (78.7 x 218.4 x 91.4 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$1103 Bids
GEORGE SMITH KILIM SOFA.
Nov 20, 11:00 AM EST
GEORGE SMITH KILIM SOFA.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$6503 Bids
Mario Papperzini, Patio suite
Nov 21, 10:00 AM PST
Mario Papperzini, Patio suite
by Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$1002 Bids
YELLOW SILK UPHOLSTERED SOFA BY BEACON HILL
Nov 22, 10:00 AM CST
YELLOW SILK UPHOLSTERED SOFA BY BEACON HILL
by Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $300- $700
$2252 Bids
Postmodern Gae Aulenti Black Leather 2-Seater Sofa for Knoll, 2 of 2
Nov 16, 12:00 PM EST
Postmodern Gae Aulenti Black Leather 2-Seater Sofa for Knoll, 2 of 2
by Public Sale Auction House
Est: $800- $1,600
$2501 Bid
MCM HOWELL FURNITURE CO. ART DECO CHROME SETTEE AND ARMCHAIR
Nov 22, 10:00 AM CST
MCM HOWELL FURNITURE CO. ART DECO CHROME SETTEE AND ARMCHAIR
by Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $100- $300
$501 Bid
GREEN VELVET UPHOLSTERED SETTEE
Nov 22, 10:00 AM CST
GREEN VELVET UPHOLSTERED SETTEE
by Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
Harvey Probber, 2 Lounge Sofas / Loveseats
Nov 16, 10:00 AM CET
Harvey Probber, 2 Lounge Sofas / Loveseats
by Kunst und Design Auktionshaus Schops Turowski
Est: €2,200- €3,400
€2,0000 Bids
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ƒ George Nakashima (1905-1990) Widdicomb style
Nov 20, 5:00 PM CET
ƒ George Nakashima (1905-1990) Widdicomb style
by Piasa
Est: €12,000- €18,000
€12,0000 Bids
Mid Century Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Cara Sofa
Nov 21, 12:00 PM EST
Mid Century Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Cara Sofa
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $400- $800
$1000 Bids
Mid Century Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Cara Sofa
Nov 21, 12:00 PM EST
Mid Century Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Cara Sofa
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $400- $800
$1000 Bids
Mid Century Mitchell Gold&Bob Williams Beige Sofa
Nov 21, 12:00 PM EST
Mid Century Mitchell Gold&Bob Williams Beige Sofa
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $400- $600
$1000 Bids
Mid Century Mitchell Gold&Bob Williams Beige Sofa
Nov 21, 12:00 PM EST
Mid Century Mitchell Gold&Bob Williams Beige Sofa
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $400- $600
$1000 Bids
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Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) Model 506 or 'Tangent'
Nov 20, 5:00 PM CET
Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) Model 506 or 'Tangent'
by Piasa
Est: €10,000- €15,000
€10,0000 Bids
Old Hickory Settee, First Half 20th Century
Nov 17, 12:00 PM EST
Old Hickory Settee, First Half 20th Century
by Locati LLC
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
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Ransom Culler (born 1969) Clip
Nov 20, 5:00 PM CET
Ransom Culler (born 1969) Clip
by Piasa
Est: €12,000- €18,000
€12,0000 Bids
Charles Hollis Jones, Illuminated Waterfall Bear sofa
Nov 21, 10:00 AM PST
Charles Hollis Jones, Illuminated Waterfall Bear sofa
by Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$3,0000 Bids
Eames For Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern Sofa
Nov 21, 11:00 AM EST
Eames For Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern Sofa
by Willow Auction House
Est: $600- $800
$3000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell American Sofas, Couches & Chaises


Public Sale Auction House

Public Sale Auction House

Freeman’s | Hindman

Freeman’s | Hindman

Los Angeles Modern Auctions

Los Angeles Modern Auctions

Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers

Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers