Settees
1980s American Modern Vintage Settees
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood, Down
1990s Post-Modern Settees
Fabric
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Synthetic, Faux Leather
1990s British Georgian Settees
Upholstery, Acrylic, Wood
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wicker
Late 19th Century English Anglo-Japanese Antique Settees
Mahogany
Late 19th Century British Antique Settees
Wood
Late 20th Century French Settees
Metal
1990s American Spanish Colonial Settees
Textile, Walnut
1890s English Anglo-Japanese Antique Settees
Brass
Late 19th Century European Rococo Revival Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Velvet
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Settees
Wood, Rush
1890s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
1880s English Victorian Antique Settees
Mahogany, Satinwood
1990s French International Style Settees
Synthetic
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Settees
Wood
Late 20th Century Adirondack Settees
Wicker
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Mirror, Leather
Late 19th Century British Antique Settees
Leather
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settees
Upholstery, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Rattan
Late 20th Century American Regency Settees
Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Settees
Upholstery, Cherry
Late 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
1970s European Vintage Settees
Wicker
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Settees
Upholstery, Rush, Maple
Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Velvet, Walnut
1980s Italian Vintage Settees
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Country Settees
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1980s American Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Down, Silk, Beech
Late 20th Century American Adirondack Settees
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Settees
Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Settees
Mohair, Bamboo
Late 19th Century American Jacobean Antique Settees
Oak, Cane
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century French Provincial Settees
Upholstery
1980s American Victorian Vintage Settees
Velvet, Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Birdseye Maple
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel
Late 19th Century American Eastlake Antique Settees
Walnut
1870s Antique Settees
Wood
Late 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Settees
Birch
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Linen, Wood
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.