Settees
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Settees
Velvet
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century Egyptian Revival Settees
Velvet
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Settees
Walnut, Damask
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather, Linen, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Settees
Steel, Chrome
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Settees
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees
Bronze
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Settees
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Settees
Silk, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Settees
Birch
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Settees
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Settees
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century American Settees
Oak
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Settees
Wood, Mirror
Early 20th Century American Industrial Settees
Oak
Early 20th Century American Victorian Settees
Rattan
2010s English Modern Settees
Upholstery
1920s American Adirondack Vintage Settees
Hickory
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century Georgian Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
1920s French French Provincial Vintage Settees
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees
Birch
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Oak
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Settees
Wood
2010s American Modern Settees
Gold Leaf, Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Settees
Leather, Wood
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Settees
Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Settees
Burl, Bentwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Settees
Walnut
2010s American Settees
Upholstery, Rattan
2010s American Modern Settees
Hardwood
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.