Settees
2010s South African Modern Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Settees
Leather, Maple
2010s American Other Settees
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Gold
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Settees
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XV Settees
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century North American Eastlake Antique Settees
Bamboo
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather, Foam
2010s American Napoleon III Settees
Wood, Velvet
2010s American American Classical Settees
Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Wood, Fabric
2010s Canadian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Wood, Fabric
2010s American Settees
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
Late 19th Century European Antique Settees
Gold
Late 19th Century English George II Antique Settees
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Settees
Wool, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Bouclé
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Steel
1880s English Georgian Antique Settees
Tapestry, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary English George II Settees
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Velvet, Fabric, Wood
2010s European Modern Settees
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric
2010s American American Classical Settees
Velvet, Maple
2010s Portuguese Settees
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Settees
Leather
2010s Italian Settees
Cotton, Hickory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
1870s Swedish Baroque Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
Early 2000s English Post-Modern Settees
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Settees
Velvet
Late 19th Century French Antique Settees
Walnut
2010s American Modern Settees
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s Pakistani Organic Modern Settees
Ash, Bentwood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Foam, Wood
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Foam, Fabric
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Settees
Stainless Steel
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.