Settees
1880s English High Victorian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
1880s French Victorian Antique Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Walnut, Upholstery
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Settees
Wood, Paint
1820s Italian Charles X Antique Settees
Walnut
19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Settees
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century Louis XIV Antique Settees
Mohair, Wood
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Brocade, Beech
Late 19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Bentwood
19th Century Antique Settees
Upholstery, Reed
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Giltwood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Aubusson Antique Settees
Tapestry, Giltwood, Wool
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Walnut, Leather
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Giltwood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch
1880s Italian Antique Settees
Oak
19th Century Antique Settees
Oak
1880s English Victorian Antique Settees
Fabric, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century American Louis XV Antique Settees
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Teak
1880s French Edwardian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Settees
Bronze
1860s Italian Rococo Revival Antique Settees
Gold Leaf
19th Century Irish George III Antique Settees
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Antique Settees
Fabric, Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel, Chrome
Early 19th Century British Antique Settees
Upholstery
19th Century English Chippendale Antique Settees
Tapestry, Upholstery, Mahogany
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Giltwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
1890s French Antique Settees
Linen, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Walnut
19th Century British Georgian Antique Settees
Leather, Hardwood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Beech
19th Century Neoclassical Antique Settees
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Satinwood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Tapestry, Walnut
Early 19th Century Cuban Regency Antique Settees
Cane, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Settees
Walnut
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Oak
Mid-19th Century French Antique Settees
Chestnut, Pine
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Wool
19th Century Spanish Antique Settees
Horn, Animal Skin
19th Century European Louis XV Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
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.