Settees
Mid-20th Century Italian Settees
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Bauhaus Settees
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Settees
Velvet
Late 20th Century North American Settees
Fabric, Wicker
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Settees
Leather, Chenille, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Velvet
19th Century English Victorian Antique Settees
Other
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Settees
Brass
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Stone, Travertine
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Metal
1990s German Modern Settees
Wool, Wood
1990s Italian Modern Settees
Metal
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Aluminum
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Fabric, Foam
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Foam, Fabric
Late 19th Century British Chesterfield Antique Settees
Leather
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Settees
Chrome
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Foam, Leather
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel, Iron
20th Century Mexican Victorian Settees
Iron
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
1980s Vintage Settees
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Settees
Brass
2010s Spanish Industrial Settees
Iron
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery
1790s English George III Antique Settees
Mahogany, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
2010s South African Modern Settees
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Settees
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Leather
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Fabric
1950s Vintage Settees
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wrought Iron
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.