Settees
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
2010s English George II Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century Settees
Linen, Wicker
Early 19th Century Antique Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather, Foam
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric
1820s French Antique Settees
Fruitwood
1940s Vintage Settees
Fabric, Rattan
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rosewood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Pine
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Settees
Fruitwood
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Settees
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Settees
Giltwood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
1920s Art Deco Vintage Settees
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Bouclé
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
20th Century Hollywood Regency Settees
Fabric, Fruitwood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Foam, Upholstery
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Minimalist Settees
Steel
1860s Danish Rococo Revival Antique Settees
Mahogany
1940s Danish Vintage Settees
Mahogany, Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Rosewood
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Giltwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
2010s British Chesterfield Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Settees
Brass, Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Velvet
Late 19th Century English Baroque Antique Settees
Linen
1810s French Empire Antique Settees
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Canvas, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Settees
Velvet
2010s American Post-Modern Settees
Brass
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
Mid-19th Century European Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
20th Century English Art Deco Settees
Leather
1920s American Adirondack Vintage Settees
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Settees
Leather
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Settees
Cane, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
2010s South African Settees
Linen
1980s Vintage Settees
Upholstery
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Wood
2010s American Settees
Upholstery, Oak
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Sheepskin, Mahogany
2010s Italian Settees
Fabric, Walnut, Ash
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Settees
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Leather, Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Settees
Mahogany
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Teak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Tapestry, Giltwood
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.