Settees
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Settees
Linen, Mahogany
2010s Cypriot Post-Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Settees
Bronze
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Settees
Cane, Rosewood
1650s Swiss Antique Settees
Concrete
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Wool, Tapestry, Giltwood
1880s British Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Walnut
1980s Vintage Settees
Cotton
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wrought Iron
1990s Italian Post-Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Settees
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Aluminum
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Victorian Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Oak
1960s Japanese Vintage Settees
Wicker, Rattan
20th Century French Settees
Fabric, Fruitwood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Beech
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century Danish Empire Antique Settees
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Settees
Fabric, Hardwood
1890s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Beech
1950s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Birch
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Teak, Leather
1860s European Napoleon III Antique Settees
Hardwood
1840s Antique Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
20th Century Louis XVI Settees
Metal
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Settees
Leather, Wood
2010s British Art Deco Settees
Alpaca, Beech
Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Settees
Walnut
1750s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Settees
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
1930s French Neoclassical Vintage Settees
Wood, Velvet
18th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Brocade, Beech
20th Century Hollywood Regency Settees
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary British Chesterfield Settees
Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Settees
Wood, Rattan
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Settees
Cane, Beech
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Settees
Cane, Wood
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch
1890s English Georgian Antique Settees
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century American Antique Settees
Wood
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Settees
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Tapestry, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Beech
1870s Renaissance Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Aluminum, Steel
20th Century Italian Baroque Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
Early 19th Century South American William IV Antique Settees
Mahogany
1790s French Directoire Antique Settees
Brass
Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Birch
Early 19th Century Indian Empire Antique Settees
Reed, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary British Minimalist Settees
Leather
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Settees
Linen, Mahogany
1880s Antique Settees
Oak
20th Century Louis XV Settees
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Settees
Wood
Early 19th Century Cuban Regency Antique Settees
Cane, Mahogany
Late 18th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Settees
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.