Settees
1890s English Georgian Antique Settees
Mahogany
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Beech
1980s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Settees
Velvet
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Aluminum
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Settees
Steel
Early 20th Century Javanese Dutch Colonial Settees
Teak
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Walnut
20th Century British Victorian Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Settees
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Settees
Bone, Abalone, Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Country Settees
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Other Settees
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Walnut
1980s American French Provincial Vintage Settees
Fabric, Silk, Wood
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome, Metal
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Settees
Leather
Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Mahogany
19th Century British Edwardian Antique Settees
Mahogany, Satinwood
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Organic Modern Settees
Hardwood, Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
2010s Italian Settees
Leather, Hickory
19th Century French Empire Antique Settees
Ormolu
20th Century British Regency Settees
Leather
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Napoleon III Settees
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Teak, Wool
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bronze
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
String, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1850s Antique Settees
Oak
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wool, Pine
Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Settees
Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Nutwood
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood
1960s American Modern Vintage Settees
Fiberglass, Rubber
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Oak
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Settees
Other
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
1880s French Edwardian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century British Victorian Settees
Leather
1980s French Provincial Vintage Settees
Cotton, Wood
Early 1900s American Late Victorian Antique Settees
Wicker
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Settees
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Walnut
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Settees
Cane, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Settees
Beech
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Leather, Walnut
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Brass, Steel, Iron
20th Century English Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Foam
Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite 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.