Settees
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Settees
Elm, Walnut
1980s American Modern Vintage Settees
Canvas, Wood, Paint
2010s American Modern Settees
Maple, Bouclé
2010s American Modern Settees
Maple, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Bouclé, Resin, Rubber, Plywood
Early 1900s American Victorian Antique Settees
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Settees
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Wicker
2010s Modern Settees
Metal
Early 1900s American Late Victorian Antique Settees
Wicker
1880s English Victorian Antique Settees
Mahogany, Satinwood
20th Century Modern Settees
Brass
Early 20th Century American Victorian Settees
Cane, Oak, Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Settees
Upholstery, Cherry
1980s American Modern Vintage Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Victorian Vintage Settees
Velvet, Wood
Mid-19th Century Indian Victorian Antique Settees
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Settees
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Modern Settees
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees
Metal
Early 20th Century American Victorian Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Modern Settees
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s British Modern Settees
Nylon
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Walnut, Lacquer
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s French Modern Settees
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Settees
Fiberglass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Leather
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Settees
Leather, Chenille, Rattan
1970s Modern Vintage Settees
Mohair, Wood
2010s European Modern Settees
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern 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.