What is the difference between a sofa and a settee?

The difference between a sofa and a settee is largely a matter of personal opinion. Technically, the two words refer to the same thing. However, settee is no longer a commonly used term. As a result, some people call antique couches “settees,” and newer examples of the furniture “sofas.” On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique and vintage sofas and settees.

Settee Bench Antique

Stickley Bench

Caned Settee

Hall Settee

Turn Of The Century Settee

19th Century French Settee

Arts And Crafts Oak Bench

Pair Settee

19th Century Caned Bench

Category

Early 20th Century French Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Wood

Upholstered Bench/Settee with Back

$3,995

English Georgian Walnut Bench / Settee

Located in Atlanta, GA

English Georgian walnut six leg bench/ settee with new muslin upholstery. Carved legs and pad feet.

Category

18th Century and Earlier British Queen Anne Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut

English Georgian Walnut Bench / Settee

$4,395

Swedish Gustavian Style Bench Settee

Located in Atlanta, GA

Swedish bench settee in Gustavian style, circa 1920, with open slat back and newly upholstered seat

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee Bench Antique

Swedish Gustavian Style Bench Settee

$2,895

Provençal "Radassier" Settee, France, 19th Century

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

French wood and rush bench or settee (aka radassier) from Provence. Stripped, light-colored wood

Category

Late 19th Century French Country Settee Bench Antique

Provençal "Radassier" Settee, France, 19th Century

$3,122

19th C Birdseye Maple Daybed/Settee

Located in Los Angeles, CA

bed. It can also be a nice Bench, Daybed or Settee Day bed measures approx - 23 deep x 72 wide x

Category

19th Century American Adirondack Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Wood, Birdseye Maple

19th C Birdseye Maple Daybed/Settee

$3,895

French 19th Century Mahogany Restauration Settee

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A regal-looking 19th century French Restauration period (circa 1840) bench or settee, carved from

Category

19th Century French Restauration Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

French 19th Century Mahogany Restauration Settee

$3,500

Mission Settee Harden Furniture Co., circa 1907

By Harden Furniture 1

Located in Dallas, TX

Mission arts and crafts settee couch bench with thick quarter sawn oak mortise and tendon

Category

Early 1900s American Mission Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

Mission Settee Harden Furniture Co., circa 1907

$2,200

19th Century Empire Settee or Bench

Located in New Orleans, LA

From the 19th century, this walnut Empire bench or settee shows its Egyptian influence in the

Category

19th Century Empire Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Linen, Walnut

19th Century Empire Settee or Bench

$3,307

18th Century Italian Walnut Bench/Settee

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

An 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Period Walnut Chairback Hall Bench/Settee. This bench was

Category

18th Century Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Walnut Bench/Settee

$4,406

Sale Antique Swedish Country Gustavian Painted Settee

Located in Atlanta, GA

Restored Swedish Country settee, sofa or bench in the Gustavian Style. Probably late 19th century

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee Bench Antique

Sale Antique Swedish Country Gustavian Painted Settee

$4,500

*SALE* Antique Swedish Country Gustavian Painted Settee

Located in Atlanta, GA

Restored Swedish Country settee, sofa or bench in the Gustavian style. Probably late 19th century

Category

19th Century Swedish Settee Bench Antique

SALE Antique Swedish Country Gustavian Painted Settee

$2,985

Antique Swedish Gustavian Painted Bench Settee

Located in Atlanta, GA

Restored Swedish Country settee, sofa or bench in the Gustavian Style. Probably late 19th century

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Antique Swedish Gustavian Painted Bench Settee

$3,870

19th Century dated Mountain Bench Settee

Located in Vosselaar, BE

A great example of a Pyrinee mountain Bench. Beautiful grain, color and patina. Sturdy and ready

Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Victorian Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Pine

19th Century dated Mountain Bench Settee

$3,002

Continental Neoclassical Bench

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Continental neoclassical beech wood bench with rush seat, 19th century. As can be seen in our

Category

19th Century European Neoclassical Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Rush, Wood

Continental Neoclassical Bench

$2,500

Regency Ebonised Bench

Located in Troy, MI

This circa 1825 Regency bench has a carved ebonised frame, graceful curved arms, and an upholstered

Category

19th Century English Settee Bench Antique

Regency Ebonised Bench

$2,495

Scandinavian Bench of Fruitwood

Located in Austin, TX

A beautiful Scandinavian (probably Swedish) love seat bench or settee of fruitwood, featuring

Category

19th Century Swedish Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Upholstery

Scandinavian Bench of Fruitwood

$3,995

Art Deco Burl Settee in Black Shearling, Two Available

Located in Austin, TX

Art Deco settee, loveseat or bench with burled olive wood frame from 1920-1930, newly upholstered

Category

1920s Art Deco Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Sheepskin, Burl

Art Deco Burl Settee in Black Shearling, Two Available

$7,950 / item

Biedermeier Bench Settee, Austria, Early 19th Century

Located in Wrocław, Poland

Beautifully restored bench settee from early 19th century from Austria. The bench features cane

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Biedermeier Bench Settee, Austria, Early 19th Century

$5,224

Vintage Iron Patio Bench

Located in High Point, NC

A beautiful Belgian style patio bench in iron, with updated white upholstered seat. Elegant iron

Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Iron

Vintage Iron Patio Bench

$1,895

Ethan Allen Heirloom Nutmeg Maple Bench/Settee

Located in Wilmington, DE

Ethan Allen heirloom nutmeg maple 48" bench Offered is an Ethan Allen heirloom nutmeg maple 48

Category

Late 19th Century North American American Colonial Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Ethan Allen Heirloom Nutmeg Maple Bench/Settee

$395

1890 Country Bench / Settee in Original Paint

Located in Surrey, BC

An exceptional Canadian made bench with molded edges slotted back and fantastic form from the

Category

1890s Canadian Country Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Pine

1890 Country Bench / Settee in Original Paint

$2,850

Italian 19th c. Bench

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Just restored and reupholstered. Great for any entry, bedroom, etc...

Category

19th Century Italian Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut

Italian 19th c. Bench

$7,600

Napolean III Painted Iron Bench

Located in North Miami, FL

Beautifully distressed and extremely solid iron mesh settee. Graceful curved lines.

Category

19th Century French Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Iron

Napolean III Painted Iron Bench

$9,800

Art Craft Oak Bench Settle

Located in Astoria, NY

Art & Craft oak bench settle raised on tapered legs with structural backrest. Dealer: S138XX

Category

19th Century Arts and Crafts Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

Art Craft Oak Bench Settle

$850

18th Century Swedish Long Bench

Located in Charleston, SC

18th century Swedish Gustavian style sofa bench with blustered back and sides and tapered legs

Category

18th Century Swedish Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Linen, Pine

18th Century Swedish Long Bench

$6,800

Beidermeier Style Cherrywood Franconian Bench

Located in Troy, MI

19th century Beidermeier style Franconian bench has six tapered legs, upholstered seat, open work

Category

19th Century French Biedermeier Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Beidermeier Style Cherrywood Franconian Bench

$5,195

Antique Louis XVI Style Caned Settee With Distressed Green Painted Finish

Located in North Fort Myers, FL

petite bench. • Antique settee in the Louis XVI style • Distressed green painted wood frame with carved

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Regency Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Wood

Antique Louis XVI Style Caned Settee With Distressed Green Painted Finish

$2,695

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Banquette Renaissance Revival Oak

Located in Tyler, TX

CHARMING Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Hall Seat, Bench or Chair~~HIGHLY CARVED ~~c

Category

Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Banquette Renaissance Revival Oak

$5,800

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Walnut Petite

Located in Tyler, TX

EXQUISITE Antique French Walnut PETITE Renaissance Revival Hall Seat, Bench or Chair~~HIGHLY CARVED

Category

Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Walnut Petite

$6,400

Antique English Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Oak Petite

Located in Tyler, TX

Charming antique English oak petite renaissance revival hall seat, bench or chair~~highly carved

Category

Late 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

Antique English Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Oak Petite

$3,500

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Chariot Race

Located in Tyler, TX

EXQUISITE Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Hall Seat, Bench or Chair~~HIGHLY CARVED ~~c

Category

Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Chariot Race

$5,250

Vienna Secession Bench Settee, Austria, Early 20th Century

Located in Wrocław, Poland

Beautifully restored bench settee from early 20th century from Austria. The bench features

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Beech

Vienna Secession Bench Settee, Austria, Early 20th Century

$3,963

Swedish 19th Century Karl Johan Birchwood Bench/Settee

Located in Atlanta, GA

A mid-19th century Swedish Karl Johan bench or settee made of birchwood with lyre carved splats

Category

19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Birch, Upholstery

Swedish 19th Century Karl Johan Birchwood Bench/Settee

$3,500

Napoleon III Settee or Bench, France, 19th Century

Located in New York, NY

19th century French Napoleon III unusual shape settee or bench. Green and red accent colors on

Category

19th Century French Settee Bench Antique

Napoleon III Settee or Bench, France, 19th Century

$4,500

Unique Plywood Bench Settee from Early 20th Century

Located in Wrocław, Poland

Plywood bench settee from early 20th century. The bench is set on wooden frame and has a profiled

Category

Early 20th Century European Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Plywood

Unique Plywood Bench Settee from Early 20th Century

$1,825

Antique Carved Bench/Settee, Denmark circa 1890-1900

Located in Round Top, TX

This graceful bench or settee has recently been given a new painted finish, creating a Gustavian

Category

Early 20th Century Danish Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Wood, Paint, Upholstery

Antique Carved Bench/Settee, Denmark circa 1890-1900

$3,650

Gustav Stickley Style Mission Oak Arts Crafts Open Arm Settee or Loveseat

By Gustav Stickley

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful Mission or Arts & Crafts loveseat, settee, or bench. In the manner of Gustav

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Gustav Stickley Style Mission Oak Arts Crafts Open Arm Settee or Loveseat

$1,995

Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts Crafts Open Arm Settee or Loveseat

By Stickley Brothers

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful Mission or Arts & Crafts loveseat, settee, or bench. By Stickley Brothers USA, circa

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Leather, Oak

Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts Crafts Open Arm Settee or Loveseat

$3,295

Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Settee Sofa Bench

Located in Round Top, TX

This is a truly exceptional sofa or settee of the Swedish Gustavian period due to the beautiful

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Settee Sofa Bench

$5,475

Late 17th-C. Welsh Carved Bench

Located in High Point, NC

Late 17th- early 18th-C. Welsh settee. Decorated hand carved back panels and apron, supported on

Category

18th Century and Earlier Welsh Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

Late 17th-C. Welsh Carved Bench

$5,500

19th Century, Oak Antique Rustic Bench

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Antique Italian bench 1880s. The bench is made of solid oak wood. Excellent antique good conditions

Category

1880s Italian Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

19th Century, Oak Antique Rustic Bench

$3,002

Antique Italian Bench Settee Entry Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Walnut 19th C

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautifully Carved Antique Walnut Italian Renaissance Revival Bench or Settee with Lift Top Seat~~c

Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut

Antique Italian Bench Settee Entry Hall Bench Renaissance Revival Walnut 19th C

$4,800

19th Century Monumental Country Settle/Bench

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This large bench is in very good and sturdy condition. This large banister back pine bench would be

Category

Late 19th Century American Country Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Pine

19th Century Monumental Country Settle/Bench

$4,850

19th Century Swedish White Gustavian Pine Bench Settee

Located in Round Top, TX

This lovely bench is a wonderful example of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with turned spindles

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Muslin, Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish White Gustavian Pine Bench Settee

$5,100

White Gustavian Settee Sofa Bench, circa 1850-70

Located in Round Top, TX

This elegant Gustavian sofa or settee has an antique white painted finish, exquisitely curved arm

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Wood, Paint

White Gustavian Settee Sofa Bench, circa 1850-70

$4,650

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Trunk Renaissance Revival Oak 19thC

Located in Tyler, TX

BEAUTIFUL Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Hall Seat, Bench or Settee~~HIGHLY CARVED ~~c

Category

Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak

Antique French Bench Chair Settee Hall Bench Trunk Renaissance Revival Oak 19thC

$3,850

18th Century Scandinavian - Swedish Sofa Bench

Located in Wichita, KS

A very rare Scandinavian - Swedish sofa bench. Circa 1790. We chose this sofa for its graceful

Category

18th Century and Earlier Swedish Settee Bench Antique

18th Century Scandinavian - Swedish Sofa Bench

$6,800

Josef Hoffmann Dark Walnut Upholstered Bench

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Troy, MI

Circa 1906 dark stained walnut bench designed by Josef Hoffmann has a curved seat back with

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Josef Hoffmann Dark Walnut Upholstered Bench

$4,895

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Bench

Located in South Salem, NY

Classic Gustavian style upholstered bench made in Sweden circa 1880. With its first paint, this

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Pine

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Bench

$6,800

French 18th Century Collapsible Bench, Settee in Iron

Located in Round Top, TX

A fabulous late 18th century collapsible bench wonderfully crafted in hand-forged iron. Ready to be

Category

Late 18th Century French Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Iron

French 18th Century Collapsible Bench, Settee in Iron

$3,438

L. J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts Crafts Open Arm Settee, Restored

By L. J.G. Stickley Inc.

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period bench, settee, or love seat By L. & J.G

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Leather, Oak

L. J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts Crafts Open Arm Settee, Restored

$5,500

Unusual Oak and Pine Bench / Settee, C. 1890.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A striking late-19th-century slatted bench in warm oak and pine, likely of Austrian origin. The

Category

Late 19th Century European Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Oak, Pine

Unusual Oak and Pine Bench / Settee, C. 1890.

$2,850

19th Century Carved Walnut Leather Tufted Bench

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Handsome English carved walnut distressed leather tufted bench with claw & ball feet and double

Category

19th Century English Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut, Leather

19th Century Carved Walnut Leather Tufted Bench

$6,800

Early 18th Century Walnut Antique Rustic Bench

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Antique Italian bench 1700s. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Refined seat in silk

Category

Early 1700s Italian Directoire Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Walnut

Early 18th Century Walnut Antique Rustic Bench

$3,002

Large Chinese Carved Hard Wood Hall Bench

Located in Altrincham, GB

Large Chinese Carved Hard Wood Hall Bench, carved with ceremonial dragons, with scroll arms, solid

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Hardwood

Large Chinese Carved Hard Wood Hall Bench

$9,983

19th Century Spanish Leather Sofa or Bench

Located in Round Top, TX

forges iron stretchers - and decorated with wonderful brass nail heads and finials. This type of bench

Category

19th Century Spanish Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Iron

19th Century Spanish Leather Sofa or Bench

$4,000

19th c. New England Windsor Settle/ Bench

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This early 19thc plank seat Windsor bench is in very good condition and is also very comfortable

Category

19th Century American Settee Bench Antique

Materials

Pine, Hickory

19th c. New England Windsor Settle/ Bench

$4,850

Seating Under $2,000

Antique and Vintage Seating

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Settee Bench Antique", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Settee Bench Antique For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal settee bench antique for your home. Each settee bench antique for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and walnut. Your living room may not be complete without a settee bench antique — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each settee bench antique bearing Baroque, Victorian or Louis XVI hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one settee bench antique that is appealing in its simplicity, but Thonet, Jacob and Josef Kohn and Josef Hoffmann produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Settee Bench Antique?

The average selling price for a settee bench antique at 1stDibs is $3,899, while they’re typically $395 on the low end and $67,401 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.

Questions About Settee Bench Antique

What is the difference between a sofa and a settee?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The difference between a sofa and a settee is largely a matter of personal opinion. Technically, the two words refer to the same thing. However, settee is no longer a commonly used term. As a result, some people call antique couches “settees,” and newer examples of the furniture “sofas.” On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique and vintage sofas and settees.

All the Furniture in This Organic Modern Soho Loft Can Be Yours

Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.

20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining

Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.

Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner

With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways

The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.

This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet

Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.

Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?

From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.