Settees
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
19th Century Italian Romantic Antique Settees
Silver Leaf
19th Century Spanish Antique Settees
Horn, Animal Skin
19th Century American Federal Antique Settees
Rush, Chestnut
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
Late 19th Century British Antique Settees
Satinwood
19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Settees
Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Cherry, Upholstery
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Pearwood
1860s Scottish High Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Beech
1860s English High Victorian Antique Settees
Hardwood
Late 19th Century British Egyptian Revival Antique Settees
Wire
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Oak
19th Century European Louis XV Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Settees
Fabric, Satinwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Settees
Velvet, Walnut
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood, Burl
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Modern Settees
Fabric
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
19th Century Antique Settees
Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather, Bentwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wrought Iron
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Lacquer
Early 19th Century British Antique Settees
Wood
19th Century American Chippendale Antique Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
1990s Modern Settees
Leather
19th Century Sheraton Antique Settees
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Settees
Rosewood
19th Century Swedish Antique Settees
Pine
1830s American American Colonial Antique Settees
Wood
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Settees
Upholstery
1890s Syrian Victorian Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Wood, Walnut, Upholstery
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1820s Italian Charles X Antique Settees
Walnut
19th Century Antique Settees
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
1810s French Regency Antique Settees
Brass
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
19th Century French Victorian Antique Settees
Giltwood
1980s Italian 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.