Settees
1980s German Vintage Settees
Fabric, Rubber
2010s Modern Settees
Metal
1750s English George III Antique Settees
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
Mid-20th Century Post-Modern Settees
Velvet, Lacquer
19th Century Antique Settees
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Settees
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Settees
Wool
Early 20th Century Turkish Moorish Settees
Shell, Wood
1840s French Biedermeier Antique Settees
Hardwood, Beech
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood, Down
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Chippendale Antique Settees
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wool, Oak
1950s French Louis XVI Vintage Settees
Silk, Velvet, Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum
Early 19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Settees
Bronze
1980s American Modern Vintage Settees
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Settees
Mohair, Velvet
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Mirror, Leather
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Settees
Pine
1930s Art Deco Vintage Settees
Chrome
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Mohair, Silk, Giltwood, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Velvet, Beech, Fir
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal, Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Settees
Wood, Rattan
1760s English George III Antique Settees
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Industrial Settees
Iron
2010s Mexican Settees
Stainless Steel
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Settees
Walnut
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Rattan
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Settees
Textile, Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Space Age Settees
Wool, Acrylic
1870s Renaissance Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s American Victorian Antique Settees
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Rattan
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Settees
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Settees
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
1780s French Louis XV Antique Settees
Walnut
2010s Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
1990s Post-Modern Settees
Fabric
20th Century Italian Organic Modern Settees
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Plastic, Rubber
Early 20th Century American Settees
Wood
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wicker
1990s British Georgian Settees
Upholstery, Acrylic, Wood
Early 20th Century Syrian Anglo-Indian Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees
Brass
1840s Italian Louis Philippe Antique Settees
Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Rosewood
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.