Settees
Late 17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Leather, Walnut
19th Century Louis XIII Antique Settees
Walnut, Upholstery
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Walnut, Upholstery
Mid-19th Century European Louis XIII Antique Settees
Palisander
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Settees
Brass
Late 20th Century French Provincial Settees
Upholstery
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Velvet, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Settees
Silk, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
19th Century American Louis XV Antique Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Settees
Metal
19th Century English Antique Settees
Walnut
Late 18th Century American Hepplewhite Antique Settees
Mahogany, Down, Fabric, Jute, Cotton, Upholstery, Maple
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Bouclé, Walnut
18th Century Spanish Louis XIII Antique Settees
Oak
Late 18th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
1860s French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
1890s European Louis XIII Antique Settees
Leather, Beech
Late 18th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
18th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Tapestry, Oak
Early 17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Oak
20th Century French Louis XIII Settees
1850s French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Tapestry, Walnut
1630s French Louis XIII Antique Settees
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Settees
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.