Settees
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Aluminum
Late 19th Century British Jacobean Antique Settees
Cane, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Walnut, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Beech, Oak
1970s Italian Vintage Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Settees
Silk, Fruitwood
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Settees
Leather, Chenille, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
1890s Swiss Black Forest Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century British Settees
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Settees
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Settees
Iron
20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Satin, Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century Louis XV Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bronze, Steel
Late 20th Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Oak, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Settees
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Silk, Foam, Walnut
18th Century British Edwardian Antique Settees
Cane, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fiberglass
1820s Italian Charles X Antique Settees
Walnut
1960s Japanese Vintage Settees
Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Settees
Iron
19th Century English Antique Settees
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Oak
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Steel
20th Century British Settees
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Beech
20th Century Settees
Leather
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Settees
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
1950s American Vintage Settees
Rattan
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Iron
1980s Vintage Settees
Cotton
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Wool
20th Century Settees
Mahogany
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
Early 20th Century American Federal Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
1810s French Empire Antique Settees
Cherry
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Leather
1960s Ecuadorean Organic Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
20th Century Eastlake 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.