Settees
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Tapestry, Wood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Settees
Velvet
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
Late 20th Century German Settees
Chrome
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
Late 19th Century French Directoire Antique Settees
Fabric, Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Mahogany, Teak
Late 20th Century American Settees
Stainless Steel
1990s American Arts and Crafts Settees
Iron
Late 20th Century French Settees
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Maple, Paint
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Pine
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Cotton
1890s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Settees
Cane, Bentwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum, Chrome
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Gothic Antique Settees
Leather, Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Settees
Leather
Late 20th Century French Settees
Leather, Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Settees
Bronze
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Velvet, Wood, Beech
1970s American Belle Époque Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood
1990s French Settees
Bronze
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Mahogany
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.