Shopping Guide: Where to Find an Affordable French Settee Bench
In this post: If you’re looking for a French settee bench with great style at a reasonable price, this shopping guide offers many affordable options.⇒
I’ve got a thing for settees.
I think the inspiration dates back to a photo I saw many years ago that embodied my idea of sheer elegance. It was an English country living room, much darker than my current preferences, but it was dripping with Old World charm and pedigree, and I was hooked.
I’ve wanted a real antique settee ever since. Whether English Country, Swedish Gustavian or French style, I love them all!
But the reality is a vintage settee bench is quite expensive. Instead, I’ve found that there are many reproductions that are way more affordable and give a similar look.
I’ve also embraced a more modern look that’s a variation on the same theme, as rustic chic style comprises a wonderful mix of vintage influence with a relaxed and casual updated vibe.
Where to Place a Settee Bench
Whether buying vintage or new products, a French settee provides extra seating without taking up too much space. You can tuck one into the corner of a small office, use it for seating in the entry hallway, give a 17th century look to the living room, or for a more current look, pull one up to the far side of your dining table.
Settee Loveseat Styles
My favorite settees borrow from European style, with French curves, Swedish detailing and English plushness. Yet solid light fabrics give these same pieces an updated look that works well with modern decor. An upholstered seat lends plenty of comfort, as do throw pillows tossed along the seat back. Many French inspired settees fit into one of the following categories.
Cane Back Settees
Among the most casual of styles, a cane back settee is typically smaller than a fully upholstered piece and often has more character. The cane provides an organic look that works well with today’s decor, yet also calls to mind styles of yesteryear. Select a light wood frame and natural fabric and you’ll have the most up-to-date look. You can soften the seat back with toss pillows and change them out, from time to time, for a new look.
Tufted Settees
Quite possibly the most prevalent of styles, tufted settees are everywhere! The tufting may cover the seat, the back, the arms or all three. They tend to be lush and comfortable and can be simply styled or a bit more ornate. Break up the busy tufting with a textured throw blanket in a soft, pale tone.
Cabriole Settees
A cabriole settee tends to be more like a sofa than a casual bench, with a lofty seat cushion and upholstered back, but with exposed wood frame and curved legs. The shape is characterized by a continuous equal height back and arms and rounded shape. It is the most feminine of the styles and can sometimes be a bit more costly.
How I’ve Styled Settees in My Home
I’ve come a long way since that first inspirational photo and while I still haven’t gotten that authentic vintage settee out of my system, I have enjoyed styling reproduction settees around my home.
The cane back model, above, first graced our guest room and was a wonderful addition to the room. A great little bench is perfect for overnighters who needed a place to sit or lay out their things, more than they needed a full chest of drawers.
In a later iteration of the same space, I moved the cane back settee into the upstairs hallway and replaced it in the guest room with a fully upholstered model. That guest room now doubles as my home office, and I prefer having a ‘mini sofa’ where I can sit for long periods of time. It has a tufted back and a sleek modern shape, which updated well as did the room around it.
I mix ottoman benches in with my love for settees and you’ll find several of those around our home, too. A tufted model has moved from room to room, and currently presides over our front entry foyer.
There’s also a french bench at the foot of our bed in the primary bedroom, and I can’t imagine the space without it. It’s ideal for sitting down to put on shoes and socks and it gives the bed a sense of finish and polish.
Yet perhaps the most classic example of a styled settee in my home is the cabriole style I have in our downstairs office/study (see below). The room is tiny and it’s where hubby works, so the settee functions as an alternative to guest chairs, against the wall, but facing the desk. It’s very comfortable and has a delightful silhouette.
A Word About Price
I’ve done my best to link affordable styles in the shopping guide. I’m defining that, in this post, as anything under $1000, with many in the $500 range. As with all of my shopping guides, I update this post at least once a year, and in the past year or so, the prices have gone up significantly. I’ve still managed to select items that are mostly under $1000, or just a bit over, but in order to include a range of styles and to provide items that are in stock, I needed to include a few higher priced items. I promise, the vast majority are in an affordable range, so if the first one you click is above your budget, keep clicking… 🙂
Take a look at the selections below and see what you think. Go slow and explore them all; there are many options here to consider. Then let me know which ones are your favorites!
Happy shopping!!
Resource Guide
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
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The Shops
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Eleanor settee is my favorite!
I think that’s one of the most popular ones!
I went back to the post where you shared your pretty new headboard, but there are no shots of the whole room so it would be hard to see the space and how a bigger piece would fit in. I noticed that in the bed area everything has solid and square lines…headboard, side tables and of course the bed itself. Also the secretary has a lot of volume, but it is curved on top as is the chair. It seems like all the settees that are square and heavier with solid arms and backs would be very heavy in the room. I personally would like a pretty bench, tufted or not, maybe with pillow on it and baskets underneath. If you really want a settee what about one that has spaces in it for lightness? The ones with light wood arms and legs would go with your desk chair. The very last one sort of centered on the page is interesting. Also, do you think tufting would be too match-y? It is nice for the headboard to stand out. We have opinions out here, don’t we !
I agree the room needs some softness and curves. I think that’s why I don’t photograph it as a whole very often. (You can see more of it in the link to the bistro table and chairs. I probably should have included that photo in this post.) What I’d really love is a gilded antique cane back settee, but those are about 3 or 4 times the price… 😉 I like the tufted benches more as dining benches.
p.s. I guess on this page it is not the last one. I would call it #12 going from left to right with the rolled arms and back and little spindles. There are a lot of pretty ones.
Ah, yes, I think that is Pattinson. I like that one too… 🙂 I think the photos move around and are not always in the same position. (I used a new app for them this time, so that they update automatically if the prices change or anything.)
yes, it is the pattinson…that one is really growing on me…it has a lot of character and looks antique….I prefer new versions, do not care for actual antiques. If you like the cane the serena has dark wood that goes with your bed tables. Could you guild it or have someone guild it? (maybe it already is, couldn’t tell) Looking forward to seeing your choice, so fun to pick a new piece that you love.
Yes, I love Serena, but I’d love a real antique. Not sure I’ll spring for it though, so Serena might be the next best thing! And yes, would love it gilded. Would love to learn how myself… 😉
My choice would be the Pattinson (number 6) counting from the bottom up. The reason is it’s a low back that will not be taller than the focal point headboard or compete as focal point, yet it looks comfortable and seems like it may blend well with just about any decor. All of that bring said, I really love the Etruscan:o)
My readers definitely prefer the most French styles! Looks like, Eleanor, Pattinson, and Etruscan got the most votes!!
I like the Eleanor Settee the best! On another note, I LOVE the blue toile pillow on your guest room settee! Can you please share where it was purchased?
Oh gosh, yes, I love that toile pillow. I included a link to a substitute pillow in the guest room post (seen here: https://designthusiasm.com/french-blue-guest-room/) because the pillow is both quite expensive and not always available.
But if you’d like the actual pillow, I’m pretty sure this is where I got it: http://www.villagehouse.net/chinese-man-blue-toile-needlepoint-pillow.html. I also see one available now on ebay for a lot less. Here’s an affiliate link for that one: http://fave.co/2sQrM9k
I vote for the Etruscan. I like that it’s curvy but the fabric is smooth. Good juxtaposition to the headboard that is angular and tufted. I like that it is finished as natural wood, but it’s not a lot of wood. Only question is the color of the fabric and how it relates to the fabrics on the headboard and the chair by the secretary. Best of all, it’s not an arm and a leg!
That’s one of my faves too, but I think I’d like to see it gilded or antiqued. Toss on a few great pillows and you’re good to go… 😉
Hi Lory! I think you need to hit an estate sale or something, because I wouldn’t choose any of those listed. Either the wood is the wrong color, or it’s tufted or not tufted , too large etc.. etc… I’d just continue my search if it were me. The right one is out there somewhere, just maybe not right now. Be patient, you’ll find it when you’re not even looking! Good luck on your quest, lol! Seriously, those little benches are getting harder and harder to find! I wish you well and when you find a cute right sized right colored wood one, come back and blog about it so we’ll all know, lol! Have a great day! ?
Awesome decorating and styling. I’m looking for a cane settee similar to what you have for your guest bedroom. Do you know where I can find that for purchase? It matches my new bedframe perfectly.
Thanks!!
I got it from Wayfair, but I don’t see it there now. There’s a straight back cane bench in my shopping guide. That’s the closest I’ve seen lately. Your bed frame sounds lovely… 🙂
Some of the products are expected to be back a year from now!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your comment. I update my shopping guides at least once a year, but this one is due to be updated quite soon, so I’m sorry for the outdated links, but it will be updated soon… 🙂
Best regards,
Lory
I found a Swedish-looking settee with Gustavian legs on FB Marketplace. All I have to do is paint the wood and reupholster the cushions and it will be perfect. I think looking for used ones with the right lines is the way to go.
I use my settee daily to eat my meals and my 2 pups lay behind me. I wish it were more comfy as the seat is a bit dense. A good height though as it is for dining. I plan to replace soon but the rolled arms and height are key. I’ll save this for my shopping a new one.
Thanks for putting this list together Lory. Very helpful. The one I have is now on your list for only $230! I bought it on Wayfair about 6 years ago for much more.