Settees
1870s British Antique Settees
Bone, Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Rosewood
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Upholstery
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Chenille, Teak
Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American George III Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Settees
Silk, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Fruitwood
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
Early 20th Century American Country Settees
Oak, Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century French Rustic Antique Settees
Silk, Rush, Oak, Down
1960s Ecuadorean Organic Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Walnut
Late 20th Century Settees
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s French Modern Settees
Iron
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settees
Brass
Early 20th Century European Louis XVI Settees
Damask, Silk, Beech
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Brocade, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI Settees
Brass
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Teak
Late 20th Century Asian Georgian Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Beech
2010s Cypriot Post-Modern Settees
Leather, Fabric, Wood
20th Century British Settees
Leather
1860s Victorian Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Settees
Velvet, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Bohemian Settees
Fabric, Rattan, Reed
20th Century British Settees
Leather
Early 20th Century French Directoire Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century European Rococo Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Antique Settees
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Settees
Fabric, Sycamore
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Settees
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Sheraton Antique Settees
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Paint
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Teak, Leather
20th Century British Settees
Leather
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
20th Century British Settees
Leather
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
1960s Danish Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Italian Modern Settees
Metal
20th Century British Settees
Leather
20th Century British Settees
Leather
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
Early 20th Century American Federal Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Faux Leather
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric
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.