Settees
18th Century Neoclassical Antique Settees
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Settees
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1990s American Spanish Colonial Settees
Textile, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Beech
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Settees
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Muslin, Wood
1880s English Victorian Antique Settees
Mahogany, Satinwood
1890s English Anglo-Japanese Antique Settees
Brass
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Velvet
19th Century Brazilian Antique Settees
Cane, Hardwood
1960s Vintage Settees
Rattan
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Settees
Wood, Rush
18th Century French Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
1890s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
1930s French Neoclassical Vintage Settees
Wood, Velvet
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Upholstery
19th Century British Antique Settees
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wood
19th Century English Antique Settees
Brass
20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Velvet
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Settees
Wool, Linen, Wood
1990s French International Style Settees
Synthetic
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Hardwood, Pine
1750s Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Wood
1860s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Pine
20th Century Modern Settees
Brass
19th Century French Directoire Antique Settees
Wood
Early 1900s American Late Victorian Antique Settees
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Italian Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1960s English Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settees
Upholstery, Oak
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Settees
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Hardwood, Pine
Late 20th Century Adirondack Settees
Wicker
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Settees
Velvet, Beech
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Pine
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 2000s American Post-Modern Settees
Upholstery
20th Century British Settees
Fabric
Late 19th Century British Antique Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Adam Style Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Upholstery
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Elm
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Settees
Textile, Giltwood
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.