What Is A Settee? A Complete Buyer’s Guide

When you don’t have a large sofa, or enough room for one, a settee is a great alternative. Its smaller size makes it easy to work into living rooms, bedrooms, home offices and other spaces where a full-sized lounge might feel too bulky.

Settees also come in plenty of different shapes and styles. Some look much like a compact two-seater sofa, while others have a more upright shape that works well as occasional seating.

If you’re considering one for your home, here’s what you need to know before choosing the right size, upholstery and style.

What Is a Settee?

A settee is an upholstered seat that generally accommodates one or two people. Its smaller, more compact size than a regular sofa is ideal for rooms with limited space.

There isn’t one strict design that makes something a settee. Some have high backs and upright seats, while modern designs can look very similar to small sofas.

The main distinction tends to be how the furniture is used. A settee is often chosen as compact or secondary seating rather than as the main lounge for an entire household. It’s a simple yet practical option for small living rooms, kids’ bedrooms, reading corners, or bedrooms.

What Is The Difference Between a Settee and a Sofa?

The terms can sometimes overlap, but the main difference between a settee and a sofa is usually their size and intended use.

A sofa or lounge is generally designed to provide the main seating in a living room. Depending on its size, it may comfortably seat anywhere from two people to an entire family.

A settee tends to have a smaller footprint and may also have a more upright seating position. This can make it better suited to shorter periods of sitting, extra seating or smaller rooms.

You can refer to this table for a quick comparison:

Feature	Settees	Sofas
Size	Generally compact	Available in a much wider range of sizes
Seating	Usually one to two people	Typically two or more people
Best For	Small rooms or additional seating	Main living room seating
Seat Style	Can be more upright	Often deeper and more relaxed
Placement	Living rooms, bedrooms, offices and occasional spaces	Mainly living and family rooms

What Size Is a Settee?

There is no standard settee size.

Some are only slightly wider than an armchair, while others are roughly the same size as a two-seater sofa. That means it’s important to look at the actual product dimensions rather than relying on the furniture being described as a "settee".

Pay attention to three measurements in particular:

• Width: How much wall or floor space the settee will take up.
• Depth: How far it projects into the room.
• Height: Particularly important if you’re placing it beneath a window or artwork.

The depth can make a particularly noticeable difference in a small room. Two seats with a similar width can take up very different amounts of usable floor space depending on how deep the frame and cushions are.

Before buying, compare the settee’s measurements with the space available rather than judging it from product photos alone.

What To Look For When Choosing A Settee

Once you know roughly where the settee will go, think about how it needs to work in that space. Consider these factors when choosing the right settee for your space.

Choose A Size That Fits The Room

A settee should give you extra seating without making it harder to move around or use the other furniture. If the room is already tight, look at both the width and depth rather than simply choosing the narrowest option.

Think about what will sit around it too. For example, a settee opposite a coffee table needs enough clearance for people to sit down and walk past comfortably.

In larger rooms, you have a little more flexibility. A settee can be used alongside a larger sofa or pair of armchairs to create a separate conversation area without adding another bulky lounge.

Think About How You’ll Use It

Where and how often you plan to sit on the settee should shape what you buy.

For example, if it’s going into a bedroom and will mainly be used while getting ready, you may prefer something compact with a firmer, more upright seat.

If it will be used regularly for reading, watching TV or relaxing, comfort becomes more important. Look for a seat depth and cushioning level you could comfortably use for longer periods.

For a busy family room, it is also worth thinking about whether you actually need a settee or whether a larger sofa would give you more useful seating over the long term.

Choose An Upholstery That Suits Your Home

Upholstery affects more than the appearance of a settee.

Think about who will use it and how much wear it is likely to get. A seat that is used every day will generally need a more practical finish than one sitting in a guest bedroom.

Colour matters too. Lighter tones can work well in smaller rooms, while darker or textured fabrics may be easier to work into busy living spaces.

If you already have a sofa nearby, the two pieces don’t need to match exactly. Choosing fabrics with similar colours or textures can be enough to make them sit comfortably together.

Check The Seat Depth And Support

A compact settee doesn’t automatically mean an uncomfortable one.

Seat depth can make a big difference to how a piece of furniture feels. A shallower seat generally gives you a more upright sitting position, while a deeper seat allows you to sit further back and relax.

The right option will depend on what you find comfortable and how the seat will be used.

Also look at the back cushions, arm height and overall support. These details are especially important if you expect the settee to be used regularly rather than just occasionally.

How To Measure Your Space For A Settee

A few quick measurements can save you from choosing furniture that technically fits but makes the room difficult to use. To thoroughly measure for space, follow these tips:

1. Start with the width and depth of the designated area. If it helps, mark the dimensions on the floor with painter’s tape so you can get a better sense of how much room it will occupy.
2. Check the surrounding space. Can you still walk comfortably between the settee and coffee table? Can you still open nearby doors or cabinets? Does the room start to feel cramped once the furniture is accounted for?
3. Measure doorways, hallways, staircases and any tight corners the furniture will need to pass through on its way into the room.

For apartments, don’t forget lifts and building entrances. A settee may be compact once it is in place, but you still need to be able to get it there.

Where Does A Settee Work Best?

One of the main advantages of a settee is that it doesn’t have to be limited to the living room. Some other places where a settee works include:

• Small living rooms: It can provide everyday seating without taking up as much space as a larger sofa.
• Bedrooms: A settee can sit at the end of the bed, beneath a window or against an unused wall. It gives you somewhere to sit without needing another large piece of furniture.
• Home offices: If you have enough room for a separate reading or sitting area away from the desk, a settee can provide that comfort and convenience.

The key is to treat it as usable seating rather than trying to fill a space for the sake of it.

How To Style A Settee With Your Existing Furniture

A settee doesn’t need to be part of a matching furniture suite.

In fact, choosing something slightly different can make the room feel more considered. The trick is to give the pieces enough in common that they still look like they belong together.

Coordinate With a Sofa & Armchair

If your settee will sit alongside a sofa or armchair, look for one or two details you can repeat across the furniture. That could be a similar fabric tone, timber leg finish or overall shape.

You don’t need to choose the same colour. A settee in a complementary shade can add a little contrast while still working with your existing furniture.

Adding Visual Layers

Cushions and throws are an easy way to connect a settee with the rest of the room.

You might repeat a colour already used on your main sofa, rug or artwork rather than introducing something completely new. A rug can also help visually group separate pieces of seating, particularly in an open-plan room.

Keep the number of accessories in proportion to the settee. On a smaller seat, too many cushions can quickly leave nowhere to actually sit.

Consider Layout and Flow

A settee doesn’t always have to sit against a wall. If you have enough space, placing it opposite another sofa or at the edge of a living area can help define the room.

Whatever layout you choose, keep clear paths between the main pieces of furniture. People should be able to move through the room without having to squeeze around the settee.

In tighter spaces, positioning it against a wall will usually make the most efficient use of the available floor area.

Complement With Accent Pieces

A small side table beside the settee can give you somewhere for a lamp, book or drink without taking up too much extra room. Floor lamps, artwork and rugs can also help tie the seating area into the rest of the room.

You don’t need to add something beside every edge of the settee. Leaving some open space around it can make a small room feel less crowded.

Find The Right Settee For Your Space

A settee can be a good choice when you want comfortable seating without filling the room with a larger sofa. Before choosing one, check the dimensions, think about how often it will be used, and consider how it will sit alongside the furniture you already have.

If you’re comparing different options, browse Focus on Furniture’s range of sofas and lounges to find a size and style that suits your home. You can also visit your nearest showroom to see and try different designs in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use a Settee As Your Main Sofa?

Yes, particularly if you live alone, have a smaller household or don’t need a lot of lounge seating.

The main thing to consider is comfort. If the settee has a relatively upright or shallow seat, it may be comfortable for shorter periods but not ideal if you regularly spend several hours relaxing on the sofa.

If it will be your main seating every day, compare it with a two- or three-seater sofa before deciding.

Is a Settee the Same as a Loveseat?

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably because both usually describe compact upholstered seating for one or two people.

Traditionally, there can be differences in shape and design, but modern furniture doesn’t always follow strict definitions.

When shopping, the product dimensions and seating style are more useful than the name alone.

How Many People Can Sit on a Settee?

Most settees are designed for one or two people, although sizes vary considerably.

A wider model may comfortably seat two adults, while a particularly compact settee may be better suited to one person.

Check the dimensions of the individual design rather than assuming every settee provides the same amount of seating.