Settees
1980s American Modern Vintage Settees
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Industrial Settees
Iron
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Velvet
1980s Italian Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Brass
Late 20th Century American Adirondack Settees
Wood
Late 18th Century American American Classical Antique Settees
Wood
19th Century American Adirondack Antique Settees
Hickory
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Settees
Velvet, Cherry
1920s American Adirondack Vintage Settees
Hickory
1920s American Adirondack Vintage Settees
Hickory
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Mohair
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Teak
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Settees
Fabric, Foam
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Brass, Steel, Iron
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel, Stainless Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Velvet, Ash
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Stone, Travertine
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Settees
Birch
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s Cypriot Post-Modern Settees
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Teak
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
2010s Cypriot Post-Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
2010s South African Post-Modern Settees
Ash
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
2010s South African Post-Modern Settees
Ash
2010s South African Post-Modern Settees
Leather, Suede, Beech
2010s French Modern Settees
Fabric
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Aluminum
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Aluminum
2010s American Post-Modern Settees
Brass
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Aluminum
2010s Danish Post-Modern Settees
Metal
2010s Danish Post-Modern Settees
Foam, Wood, Plywood, Fabric
2010s Danish Post-Modern Settees
Metal
2010s Danish Post-Modern Settees
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Plywood
Vintage, New and Antique Settees
Vintage, new and antique settees are a smart and stylish choice for adding more seating to a room.
Settees first appeared in 17th-century Europe. A very famous settee, known as the Knole settee, was actually used by a monarch in South East England to receive visitors. This seating furniture was often part of a set that included matching chairs. While settees were popular in parlors, you could also find similar seating, such as daybeds and chaises longues (both of which derive from the settee, as does the chesterfield), where you might relax with guests in your home.
Today, a settee is still furniture that invites socializing. They’re common in living rooms and other shared areas because they allow you to cozy up to someone and have a conversation with them.
Settees are typically small seats that can fit two or more people, but they aren’t as wide as couches or sofas. A settee is more intimate and offers more sitting room than an armchair. Settees often have a backrest for optimal support and are frequently upholstered.
Are you looking to add more seating to an entertainment room but working with limited space? We promise that your vintage settee will look great next to your coffee table in your main seating area. You can also add a settee to your mudroom so that guests have a comfortable spot to sit down and take off their shoes. If you have a small space in your home that you’re still figuring out how to use, add a settee to turn it into a comfortable reading nook. They work in bedrooms too; a tufted settee designed by Danish modernist Finn Juhl makes perfect sense at the foot of your bed.
Most settees come with an upholstered seat, but you can find variations that aren’t upholstered. There are antique wood settees and benches that will look right at home in a rustic decor.
The backrest is an important consideration when choosing a settee. You can find pieces with low seat backs that look discreet and don’t provide a lot of support. If you want more support, we recommend choosing a settee with a high back.
A settee with a high back can become a statement piece, especially if you choose an item with a unique upholstery print or decorative frame.<a href=https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/settees/style/victorian/ target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Victorian settees are ideal for introducing an air of sophistication to your living room. These pieces often feature frames of walnut or mahogany, a seat upholstered in chintz fabric (Victorians appreciated that the glazed finish made it easy to wipe clean) and sculptural hand-carved cabriole legs.
If you want something that feels more contemporary or will work better with your mid-century modern side tables and lounge chair, consider Space Age settees or mid-century modern versions. In your main seating area, tie the elements together with a large rug. (Find more tips on how to arrange furniture here.)
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage, new and antique settees from different eras to match any furniture style.