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21st Century and Contemporary American Settees
Wood, Fabric
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Directoire Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
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2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
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Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Living Room Sets
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Vintage 1980s Louis XV Sofas
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2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
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20th Century English Victorian Sofas
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Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
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Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
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Antique 1730s French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
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2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
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Early 20th Century British Chippendale Sofas
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Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Settees
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Antique 1790s French Directoire Settees
Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Beech
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Teak
Early 20th Century Empire Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Dressers
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Vintage 1920s American Settees
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Settees
Cotton, Giltwood, Wood
Finding the Right settees for You
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.
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