Settees
20th Century Biedermeier Settees
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech
19th Century Spanish Rustic Antique Settees
Wood, Oak
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Ebony, Down
20th Century French Art Deco Settees
Textile, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Settees
Linen, Foam, Wood
20th Century European Chinoiserie Settees
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Settees
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century British Shaker Settees
Wood
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Walnut
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Ash
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Ash
2010s American Modern Settees
Maple, Silk
Early 20th Century Louis XV Settees
Cotton, Walnut
Early 20th Century Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
Early 2000s English Post-Modern Settees
Leather, Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Settees
Aluminum
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
19th Century Indian Antique Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Settees
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Settees
Upholstery, Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Walnut, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Oak
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Wood, Ash
1860s Napoleon III Antique Settees
Rosewood
19th Century French Other Antique Settees
Metal
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Settees
Ash
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Wool
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Upholstery, Beech
Early 2000s American Modern Settees
Tapestry, Mohair, Cotton, Wood, Down, Feathers
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Settees
Velvet
19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Settees
Ebony
2010s Brazilian Settees
Bronze
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Elm
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Fabric, Beech
1940s French Vintage Settees
Fabric, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Settees
Leather
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Settees
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Oak
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Mohair
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Settees
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Settees
Beech, Bentwood
Late 19th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Settees
Leather, Teak
1930s English Edwardian Vintage Settees
Fabric
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood, Down
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Settees
Velvet, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Settees
Wool, Beech
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Directoire Settees
Fabric, Oak
1820s Italian Charles X Antique Settees
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Directoire Settees
Upholstery, Cane, Ash
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.