Settees
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Gold Leaf
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Rattan
Early 20th Century American Federal Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Oak
Early 1900s French Antique Settees
Giltwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Other
1970s Korean Chippendale Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Other
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Iron
20th Century Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Wood, Down
1950s American Vintage Settees
Rattan
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
1970s Modern Vintage Settees
Mohair, Wood
19th Century Georgian Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Directoire Settees
Upholstery, Cane, Ash
1950s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Settees
Beech
1930s Sheraton Vintage Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
1930s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Suede
Early 20th Century Javanese Settees
Teak
20th Century Eastlake Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century American Settees
Wicker
20th Century English Chesterfield Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Walnut, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
Early 20th Century Javanese Dutch Colonial Settees
Rattan, Teak
1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Mahogany
20th Century Country Settees
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rosewood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s American Modern Settees
Walnut, Cherry, Sapele Wood
1930s English Edwardian Vintage Settees
Fabric
Early 20th Century Swedish Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel, Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wicker
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Settees
Cane, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
Late 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Settees
Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Birch
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
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.