Settees
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Settees
Chrome
2010s American Modern Settees
Textile
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Velvet
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather, Mahogany
1960s North American Rustic Vintage Settees
Wood
1950s Vintage Settees
Fabric, Rattan
Late 20th Century Settees
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Settees
Fabric
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Beech
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Settees
Rosewood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
Early 20th Century Italian Settees
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Rattan
19th Century French Antique Settees
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Settees
Giltwood
Late 20th Century German Settees
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Bauhaus Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Settees
Brass
20th Century Modern Settees
Brass
2010s Brazilian Settees
Hardwood
20th Century French Louis XIV Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Vintage Settees
Fruitwood, Upholstery
19th Century Sheraton Antique Settees
Mahogany
1920s Vintage Settees
Oak
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1970s American Vintage Settees
Wood
Late 19th Century European Rococo Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Antique Settees
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Settees
Fabric, Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Vintage Settees
Metal
Early 20th Century Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
1950s American Vintage Settees
2010s American Other Settees
Metal, Sheet Metal
1990s Modern Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Settees
Velvet, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Rattan
1840s American American Empire Antique Settees
Mahogany, Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Hardwood
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood, Cocobolo
1980s French Modern Vintage Settees
Cotton, Bamboo, Foam
2010s Italian 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.