Settees
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Settees
Mahogany, Fabric, Ebony, Upholstery, Cotton
2010s Pakistani Art Nouveau Settees
Brass
2010s Pakistani Art Nouveau Settees
Brass
20th Century American Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Early 20th Century Javanese Settees
Rattan, Teak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settees
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Chesterfield Settees
Leather
19th Century American Louis XV Antique Settees
Metal
Early 20th Century French Primitive Settees
Straw, Walnut
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Teak
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Settees
Bouclé, Oak
20th Century French Louis XIV Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Italian Adam Style Settees
Cane, Wood, Paint
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Mohair
1970s Italian Vintage Settees
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Aluminum, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees
Metal
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century American Victorian Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Australian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rope, Teak
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch
20th Century French Art Nouveau Settees
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Scottish Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Porcelain, Oak
Late 20th Century American Modern Settees
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Walnut, Wood
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Settees
Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Beech, Suede
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Settees
Wood
20th Century Unknown Rustic Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Leather, Hickory
20th Century Eastlake Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century European Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
20th Century Settees
Mahogany
1940s French Louis XIV Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Teak
1980s Irish Empire Vintage Settees
Wood
1890s Belgian Louis XIV Antique Settees
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Fabric, Beech
2010s Italian Settees
Fabric, Walnut, Ash
Early 20th Century British Settees
Upholstery
20th Century English Chesterfield Settees
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Brass
Early 20th Century French Directoire Settees
Upholstery, Cane, Ash
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Settees
Birch
1940s American Adirondack Vintage Settees
Rattan, Hickory
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
1950s French Directoire Vintage Settees
Silk, Wood
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
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.