Settees and Benches designed as architectural furniture - versatile, refined, and enduring. Inspired by classical interiors and historic seating forms, each piece is hand-crafted in premium wood like teak and finished with exceptional detail. Ideal for halls, bedrooms, and living spaces, these are functional heirlooms made with patience and precision.
The English High Victorian Spoonback Settee
The Neuilly Belle Époque - Deco Salon Settee
At The Collectors, settees and benches are treated with the same seriousness as sofas, chairs, and tables. Historically, these forms were never incidental furniture - they were architectural elements, designed to define spaces, guide movement, and introduce rhythm into interiors. Our luxury handcrafted settees and benches continue this tradition, combining disciplined design, artisan craftsmanship, and premium materials.
Each piece is handcrafted in India, produced in small batches, and made slowly by skilled artisans who understand proportion, joinery, and material behaviour. We do not view settees and benches as filler furniture. We see them as purposeful objects that bring structure, elegance, and quiet authority to a space.
Settees and benches have deep roots in furniture history. From colonial verandahs and entrance halls to Victorian drawing rooms and European salons, these forms served both functional and symbolic roles. A settee suggested conversation and repose; a bench implied order, passage, and transition.
At The Collectors, our period-inspired settees and benches draw from this lineage, respecting traditional proportions while adapting comfort and scale for contemporary luxury homes. These pieces are designed to feel intentional - not decorative afterthoughts.
Every settee and bench from The Collectors is made by artisans, not assembled on factory lines. These forms demand structural precision - particularly because of their length and load-bearing requirements. Weak joinery or inferior wood reveals itself quickly in benches and settees.
Our craftsmen specialise in:
This artisan-led approach ensures that our handcrafted benches and settees remain stable, comfortable, and visually refined for decades.
Structure is paramount in seating furniture. That is why The Collectors relies on premium-grade solid wood like teak as the foundation for our settees and benches. Teak’s density, natural oils, and dimensional stability make it ideal for long spans and frequent use.
By using solid teak instead of engineered or mixed woods, we ensure:
This commitment to material quality distinguishes our luxury wooden benches and settees in India from mass-produced alternatives.
Many of our settees are upholstered using pure leather or fine fabrics, applied with restraint and precision. Upholstery is never allowed to overwhelm the structure; it is used to enhance comfort while preserving clean lines and proportion.
Our upholstered settees feature:
These pieces work beautifully in living rooms, bedrooms, libraries, and formal seating areas where visual calm and comfort are equally important.
Several of our benches and settees incorporate traditional elements such as handwoven cane, turned legs, or subtle carved detailing. These techniques are labour-intensive and require specialist skills - skills we are committed to preserving.
Cane and handcrafted detailing add:
By continuing these practices, The Collectors actively supports the revival of endangered furniture crafts.
As specialists in period furniture, The Collectors designs settees and benches influenced by some of history’s most enduring styles, including:
Each style is interpreted with historical accuracy and restraint. We avoid excessive ornamentation, focusing instead on proportion, balance, and material honesty.
A bench is often the most architectural piece in a room. It defines edges, guides circulation, and introduces linearity. Our luxury benches are designed to perform these roles with quiet authority.
They are ideal for:
Each bench is designed to integrate seamlessly into the architecture of the home.
Many clients commission custom-made settees and benches to suit specific spaces. At The Collectors, customisation is handled with discipline, ensuring that proportions and materials remain true to the intended style.
Custom options include:
This bespoke approach allows us to create seating that feels purposeful and perfectly placed.
The Collectors operates on a small-batch, slow production model. This allows our artisans to focus on quality rather than quantity, and ensures that each settee or bench receives the time it deserves.
By choosing our furniture, clients support:
This philosophy defines our approach to luxury.
The difference between ordinary seating and exceptional seating lies in construction, proportion, and material integrity. At The Collectors, these fundamentals are never compromised.
Clients choose us for:
We do not mass-produce. We create furniture that carries character, craftsmanship, and permanence.
A well-made settee or bench does not call attention to itself - it belongs effortlessly within a space. At The Collectors, we design seating that feels grounded, balanced, and quietly confident. These are pieces meant to be used daily, admired subtly, and valued over time.
Every settee and bench we create reflects our belief that furniture should be meaningful, well-made, and lasting. Through premium materials, artisan skill, and historically informed design, The Collectors offers luxury handcrafted settees and benches in India that elevate interiors without excess.
Explore our settees and benches collection and discover seating that is not merely placed, but considered - crafted slowly, shaped by tradition, and built to endure.
What is a settee?
A settee is an upholstered seating piece designed for two or sometimes three people, typically more compact and decorative than a standard sofa. Historically associated with European drawing rooms, settees often feature exposed wooden frames, carved legs, and refined proportions. They are commonly used in living rooms, bedrooms, entryways, and formal seating areas.
What is the difference between a sofa and a settee?
A sofa is generally larger, deeper, and intended for primary seating in a living room. A settee is smaller in scale, more upright, and often more decorative. Settees frequently have visible wooden frames or carved details, while sofas tend to prioritise comfort and capacity. In luxury interiors, a settee functions as an accent or secondary seating piece.
Is a settee an Indian word?
No. The term “settee” originates from European usage, particularly in Britain and France, and dates back to the 18th century. It became widely used during the colonial period and remains common in design and furniture terminology across India and the UK.
Which is more formal or ‘posh’: sofa or settee?
In traditional interior design vocabulary, “settee” is often considered more formal or classical. It is associated with decorative seating in salons and drawing rooms, particularly in period styles such as Louis XV, Louis XVI, Victorian, or Colonial. “Sofa” is a broader and more contemporary term.
What is another name for a settee?
Depending on context, a settee may also be called a loveseat, small sofa, canapé (in French furniture terminology), or salon seat. The exact term varies by style and historical period, but all refer to compact upholstered seating for two.
What is the purpose of a settee?
A settee provides elegant secondary seating. It can serve as a visual focal point in a living room, a seating option at the foot of a bed, or an accent piece in an entryway or study. Historically, settees were used in formal reception rooms where scale and aesthetics were as important as comfort.
Where to buy settees in India?
Settees in India are available through luxury furniture ateliers like The Collectors, bespoke manufacturers, and specialised heritage-style brands. Look for makers using solid hardwood frames (such as teak), hand carving, and high-quality upholstery. Many premium brands offer custom sizing, finishes, and fabric options with pan-India delivery.
Which brand sofa is best in India?
The “best” brand depends on design preference and quality expectations. For luxury and period-style furniture, specialised workshops and bespoke brands like The Collectors tend to offer superior craftsmanship, solid hardwood construction, and custom upholstery. Mass-market brands prioritise affordability and modular seating, while luxury makers focus on durability, carving, and traditional joinery.
What is a bench in furniture terms?
A bench is a long seat designed for multiple people, typically without a backrest but sometimes with one. Benches can be upholstered or made entirely of wood. They are used in entryways, dining areas, bedrooms, and living spaces for flexible seating.
What is the use of a bench at home?
Benches provide versatile seating and can serve decorative and functional purposes. Common uses include entryway seating for putting on shoes, dining benches alongside tables, bedroom benches at the foot of a bed, and accent seating in living rooms or hallways.
Where should a bench be placed in a living room?
In living rooms, benches are often placed against a wall, beneath a window, behind a sofa, or used as a coffee-table alternative with upholstery. Placement depends on circulation and layout; benches work best where additional seating is needed without adding visual bulk.
What materials are used in luxury settees and benches?
High-quality settees and benches are typically constructed from solid hardwood, often teak, with hand-carved frames in classical designs. Upholstery may include linen, cotton, velvet, or leather. Finishes range from natural polish to painted or gilded frames depending on style.
Are settees and benches suitable for modern interiors?
Yes. Both can function as accent pieces in contemporary spaces. A carved settee can introduce classical character, while a clean-lined bench adds practical seating without occupying much visual space. Mixing period-style seating with modern décor creates a layered interior aesthetic.
