Settees
1930s Art Deco Vintage Settees
Chrome
2010s American Modern Settees
Elm, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Provincial Settees
Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rosewood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Rattan
1970s Australian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Rope, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1950s French Directoire Vintage Settees
Silk, Wood
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Aluminum, Steel
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Mirror, Leather
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Aluminum
20th Century Settees
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Faux Leather, Wood
2010s American Modern Settees
Walnut, Cherry, Sapele Wood
1960s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Aluminum
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Aluminum
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Foam, Leather, Fabric
Late 19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Antique Settees
Wrought Iron
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
2010s American Louis XVI Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Velvet
2010s South African Settees
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary English Country Settees
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Wool, Birch
1960s Vintage Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Post-Modern Settees
Velvet, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
2010s South African Settees
Velvet
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
20th Century Italian Modern Settees
Metal, Chrome
1990s Modern Settees
Leather
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Settees
Cowhide, Hide, Oak, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel, Chrome
2010s American Modern Settees
Bouclé, Maple
2010s Italian Other Settees
Wood
Early 2000s English Post-Modern Settees
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wrought Iron
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Settees
Brass
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
1830s American American Colonial Antique Settees
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.