Settees
20th Century French Louis XIV Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1890s English High Victorian Antique Settees
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Settees
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Settees
Fabric, Sycamore
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Settees
Walnut, Linen
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Beech
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
20th Century English Art Deco Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary British Chesterfield Settees
Velvet
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Teak
1960s American Vintage Settees
Fruitwood, Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Velvet
1930s Vintage Settees
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Velvet
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Tapestry, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Settees
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Settees
Silk, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
19th Century British Edwardian Antique Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Sheepskin, Wood
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Iron
Early 19th Century British Antique Settees
Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Maple
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Fruitwood
Mid-18th Century Louis XV Antique Settees
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Velvet, Paint, Maple, Wood
1970s American Modern Vintage Settees
Fiberglass
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Faux Leather, Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
19th Century English Regency Antique Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century Antique Settees
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Adam Style Antique Settees
Birdseye Maple
Early 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Settees
Mahogany, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Rattan, Cane
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Teak
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Sycamore
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Teak
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Wood, Bouclé, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Bouclé, Resin, Rubber, Plywood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1830s German Rococo Antique Settees
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century British Jacobean Antique Settees
Cane, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum, Chrome
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Settees
Synthetic
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Victorian Settees
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century English Modern Settees
Leather
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Upholstery, Oak
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Iron
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel
20th Century Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Wood, Down
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Settees
Giltwood, 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.