Settees
1840s American American Empire Antique Settees
Mahogany, Satinwood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Satinwood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Settees
Leather
19th Century American Chippendale Antique Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Adam Style Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Foam, Fabric
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century French Settees
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Walnut
2010s Canadian Modern Settees
Steel
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Settees
Silver Leaf
1960s North American Rustic Vintage Settees
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Settees
Cowhide, Hide, Oak, Walnut
1970s Korean Chippendale Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Swedish Jugendstil Settees
Mother-of-Pearl, Upholstery, Birch, Ebony, Mahogany
20th Century French Settees
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal, Copper
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Primitive Antique Settees
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Mahogany, Giltwood
1820s Antique Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Settees
Cane, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric
Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Teak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
Rush, Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Giltwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century European Rococo Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Cane, Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Settees
Metal
19th Century European Antique Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settees
Upholstery, Oak
1640s Italian Modern Antique Settees
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Mahogany
1930s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Settees
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century Asian Settees
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Settees
Wood
2010s American Louis XVI Settees
Maple, Fabric
Late 19th Century British Antique Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Settees
Wool, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Settees
Linen, Wood
1720s English George I Antique Settees
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary European Bauhaus Settees
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century British Settees
Walnut
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.