Settees
1930s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Settees
Linen, Oak
2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Napoleon III Settees
Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Bouclé, Faux Fur, Walnut
20th Century American Rustic Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI Settees
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fiberglass
1810s French Regency Antique Settees
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Iron
19th Century Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century British Settees
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary British Chesterfield Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Mahogany, Giltwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century British Jacobean Antique Settees
Cane, Oak
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Tapestry, Giltwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French Victorian Settees
Upholstery
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
1890s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
20th Century Italian Settees
Upholstery
2010s American Minimalist Settees
Steel
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Settees
Wood, Mirror
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch
1860s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Pearwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1860s English High Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Organic Modern Settees
Hardwood, Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
1960s Ecuadorean Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
1790s English George III Antique Settees
Brass
Late 20th Century Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Settees
Fabric
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum
19th Century American Federal Antique Settees
Rush, Chestnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
19th Century French Antique Settees
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass, Steel
1930s French Vintage Settees
Upholstery
20th Century French Renaissance Revival Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Rattan
19th Century Antique Settees
Upholstery, Reed
1870s Antique Settees
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Giltwood
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Marble
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bronze
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Wood
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Iron
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
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.