Settees
1850s Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Leather, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Cane, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Settees
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Settees
Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
20th Century British Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Rattan
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Settees
Fabric, Silk, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood, Oak
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Settees
Wood
1960s American Vintage Settees
Fiberglass, Rubber
1870s Antique Settees
Wood
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Oak
1990s Italian Modern Settees
Metal
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Settees
Walnut, Cowhide, Hide, Oak
19th Century English Chippendale Antique Settees
Mahogany
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Settees
Birch
Late 19th Century British Egyptian Revival Antique Settees
Wire
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Teak, Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Settees
Upholstery, Rattan
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Settees
Hickory
Early 19th Century Antique Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century British Victorian Settees
Leather
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Settees
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Velvet, Beech, Fir
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Birch
1870s French Louis XV Antique Settees
Damask, Mahogany
1960s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wood, Teak
1920s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Settees
Oak
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Linen, Wood
1870s Swedish Baroque Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
1980s American Modern Vintage Settees
Stainless Steel
1990s American Settees
Rattan
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Giltwood
2010s American American Classical Settees
Velvet, Maple
Early 20th Century European Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Dutch Scandinavian Modern Settees
Fabric, Rosewood
1860s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Pearwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Unknown Sheraton Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Asian Dutch Colonial Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood, Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
19th Century Unknown French Provincial Antique Settees
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century Italian Modern Settees
Metal, Chrome
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.