Settees
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Settees
Wood
2010s American American Classical Settees
Cane, Walnut, Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Pine, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Settees
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather, Foam
Late 19th Century North American Eastlake Antique Settees
Bamboo
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1930s Sheraton Vintage Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
1970s Neoclassical Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Ash, Rosewood
2010s Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Wood, Oak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Tapestry, Giltwood
1940s Vintage Settees
Fabric, Rattan
2010s Unknown Renaissance Settees
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rosewood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Ash
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wrought Iron
19th Century European Chippendale Antique Settees
Damask, Upholstery, Mahogany
1880s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Settees
Fabric, Bentwood
2010s American Post-Modern Settees
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood
19th Century English Antique Settees
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century British Antique Settees
Wood
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
2010s American Napoleon III Settees
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1990s Italian Modern Settees
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Aluminum
2010s Portuguese Modern Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1980s Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Settees
Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Tapestry, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Regency Settees
Silk, Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Settees
Wood, Paint
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Chesterfield Settees
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wool, Linen, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Primitive Settees
Straw, Walnut
20th Century Victorian Settees
Velvet, Walnut
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Wood
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Leather, Oak
1980s Italian Vintage Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1830s English William IV Antique Settees
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Settees
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Velvet, Cane, 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.