Settees
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Oak
1920s Unknown Chinoiserie Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Settees
Silk, Satinwood, Giltwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Mahogany
18th Century French Directoire Antique Settees
Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Wood
18th Century American Federal Antique Settees
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Plastic, Rubber
2010s American Modern Settees
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century British Bohemian Settees
Bamboo
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Hardwood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1950s American Vintage Settees
Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Settees
Leather
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Velvet, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Settees
Oak
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Oak
20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
1930s English Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
1880s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Settees
Bone, Wood, Ebony
Early 1900s French Art Deco Antique Settees
Linen
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Faux Leather, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wood
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Italian Settees
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Cane, Lacquer
1760s English George II Antique Settees
Oak, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Walnut
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Birch
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum, Chrome
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century British Art Deco Settees
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Settees
Velvet
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s European Modern Settees
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Settees
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Settees
Antler, Leather, Ivory
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Settees
Leather, Wood
20th Century French Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1940s Louis XIV Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary British Chesterfield Settees
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Leather, Oak
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
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.