Settees
Late 20th Century Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Lacquer
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1980s French Provincial Vintage Settees
Cotton, Wood
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Cotton, Bamboo, Foam
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1980s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Settees
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel
1890s Syrian Victorian Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century British Antique Settees
Satinwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Settees
Velvet, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Beech
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Leather, Walnut
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1990s American Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century American Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Upholstery, Rosewood
Late 19th Century English Antique Settees
Fabric, Satinwood
1870s English Queen Anne Antique Settees
Fabric, Oak
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Settees
Wrought Iron
1980s Italian Vintage Settees
Leather
1990s Modern Settees
Leather
1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Gold
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1990s American Post-Modern Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Settees
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wrought Iron
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
Late 19th Century Queen Anne Antique Settees
Velvet, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Fabric
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Birch
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum, Chrome
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Settees
Fabric, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century British Egyptian Revival Antique Settees
Wire
1990s European Modern Settees
Aluminum
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Gold
1990s Italian Settees
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century North American Eastlake Antique Settees
Bamboo
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
Late 19th Century European Antique Settees
Gold
1870s Swedish Baroque Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century English George II Antique Settees
Mahogany
1880s English Georgian Antique Settees
Tapestry, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chinese Settees
Wood
Late 20th Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Ash
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique 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.