Settees
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Bronze, Ormolu
1930s Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Settees
Textile, Walnut
1960s Spanish Rustic Vintage Settees
Wood, Fabric, Oak
19th Century French Antique Settees
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Settees
Other
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
20th Century Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Settees
Mahogany, Walnut
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century British Art Deco Settees
Leather
1830s English William IV Antique Settees
Leather, Elm
19th Century Irish Antique Settees
Mahogany
1880s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Settees
Bone, Wood, Ebony
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Wood
20th Century American Settees
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Hepplewhite Settees
Wood
Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1770s Italian Neoclassical Antique Settees
Cherry, Upholstery, Wood
1860s English High Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
2010s Italian Other Settees
Wood
Late 19th Century Louis XIV Antique Settees
Mohair, Wood
20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Other Settees
Metal, Sheet Metal
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Settees
Oak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Faux Leather, Beech
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Leather
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Settees
Fabric
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Settees
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood, Pine
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Ormolu
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Faux Leather, Lucite
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Velvet, Wood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Oak, Bouclé
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Settees
Cane, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 18th Century French Antique Settees
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
1850s English Victorian Antique Settees
Brass
Early 20th Century Javanese Settees
Rattan, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Linen, Leather, Oak
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Settees
Leather, Hardwood
1960s English Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Settees
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
20th Century British Settees
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Settees
Gesso, Wood, Upholstery, Paint
2010s French Modern Settees
Steel
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.