Settees
20th Century Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Wood, Down
2010s American American Classical Settees
Cane, Walnut, Lacquer
19th Century American Victorian Antique Settees
Faux Bamboo, Mahogany
1760s English George II Antique Settees
Oak, Walnut
Early 1900s French Art Deco Antique Settees
Linen
Early 18th Century French Antique Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Settees
Steel, Chrome
1790s French Directoire Antique Settees
Brass
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Settees
Oak
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Fabric, Walnut
1810s American American Empire Antique Settees
Cane, Pine, Paint
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Oak
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Teak
19th Century English George II Antique Settees
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Settees
Wood, Paint
1950s French Vintage Settees
Bamboo
1880s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Settees
Bone, Wood, Ebony
1980s Vintage Settees
Aluminum
Late 19th Century French Directoire Antique Settees
Wood, Paint
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Marble
2010s American Other Settees
Metal, Sheet Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Settees
Fabric, Walnut, Spruce
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
18th Century American Federal Antique Settees
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
1980s French Modern Vintage Settees
Cotton, Bamboo, Foam
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Settees
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Rattan
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather, Foam, Beech
1880s English Georgian Antique Settees
Tapestry, Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fiberglass
18th Century Neoclassical Antique Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settees
Leather, Cotton, Upholstery, Oak
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
1790s French Empire Antique Settees
19th Century French Empire Antique Settees
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Wood
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Oak
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
1920s Unknown Chinoiserie Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Ash, Mahogany
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Upholstery, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
1830s English William IV Antique Settees
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, 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.