The Iconic Retro '70s Couch That's Worth A Fortune Today

Bright colors, bold patterns, and soft, rounded lines were the mainstays of 1970s furniture style. A rec room furnished with boomerang-shaped sofas, upholstered in plush fabric, and amoeboid coffee tables with skinny legs signaled that the homeowner was hip to the latest styles. Think '70s decor essentials like kitchens with avocado-colored appliances and disco party spreads with fondue as the star. Even though the style is very specific, some of the furniture remains timeless. The Togo sofa from Ligne Roset debuted in 1973, but it took a couple of years for the public to embrace the form that the designer described as "a tube of toothpaste folded back on itself like a stovepipe and closed at both ends," per SixtySix. Togo sofas are still in production. Contemporary versions are expensive, but some originals, especially if they're part of a set, are valuable and can be worth tens of thousands.

The Togo manufacturer's evolution winds from its founding as a walking stick maker in the 1800s to a retailer of creative, experimental furniture with the hiring of designer Michel Ducaroy. His Togo line won over the hearts of critics immediately, earning him a prize for innovative design. Consumers, once they warmed to the design, appreciated the high quality, durability, and craftsmanship. Because the sofas were so well-made, they've endured the decades since they were introduced. Their condition is one of the reasons they command high prices, and their style fits perfectly with the '70s interior home design comeback.

If you're having trouble imagining what a tube of toothpaste and a closed stovepipe look like, the classic Togo sofa resembles an overstuffed mattress folded in half and leaned against the wall. Typically armless, legless, and low to the ground, the sofas are made entirely from polyurethane, and originals have no uncomfortable buttons. The design invites people to lounge — sitting upright, slouching, or stretched out for a nap. The current Togo line includes the original sofa, loveseats, sectionals, chairs, and ottomans. They're a timeless, not trendy, 1970s furniture style that designers love. Some the of 1970s sofas are worth more than $7,000. Meanwhile, an original five-piece set from the 1970s can go for $33,5000. 

If you think you have, or have found, a Togo original, they're fairly easy to identify if they have their original tags. Aside from their distinct form and solid construction, the tag on a vintage sofa will have the Ligne Roset label and the words "Made in France." It should have high-end upholstery and should be made from high-quality, dense foam. Beware knock-offs, sometimes described as reupholstered Togo sofas, a condition that explains away the lack of a tag. Unfortunately, some fakes also have a reproduction tag. If you're thinking about paying big bucks for an authentic, vintage Togo sofa, but you're unsure if it's real, have an expert look at it before you buy. A reputable dealer should have no problem with verifying its authenticity.