Footstools
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
1950s American Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
Late 19th Century French Antique Footstools
Oak
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Footstools
Fabric, Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Teak
20th Century British Victorian Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Beech, Jacquard
1880s Antique Footstools
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Faux Leather, Beech
20th Century European Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Beech, Leather
Late 20th Century Footstools
Polyester, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s American Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Footstools
Velvet
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Fabric, Beech
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Organic Modern Antique Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Footstools
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Islamic Footstools
Wood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1980s English Vintage Footstools
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Chrome
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1990s American Post-Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1920s English Georgian Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Oak
Antique and Vintage Footstools
Antique and vintage footstools might add a dose of fun to your living room, but they’re also hard workers.
Even as they’ve morphed into objects with plenty of functions over time, the footstool has a royal past. In Ancient Egypt, a footstool was used to climb onto an elevated chair or placed under someone’s feet as he or she was seated in a temple or private residence. Footstools were also in use during the Ottoman Empire. In fact, the ottoman, an upholstered seat or small bench that initially had no back or arms, was the main seating furniture in a home. Ottomans were a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats.
Poufs, which originated in France, are also thought of as convenient seating furniture as well as occasionally serving as a side table, if needed. (Although, a pouf is typically not as firm as an ottoman.)
Over the years, footstools have taken on varying purposes. They have been used as small portable chairs, for example.
During the 18th century, a footstool might have been long with a low profile, which rendered it perfect for fireside seating. Victorian footstools were small but not unassuming, as furniture makers of the era would upholster the pieces so that they paired with the nearby sofa or wingback chairs. Footstools have even become a storage solution at home, with designers outfitting them with compartments. Today, a footstool might be used to organize quilts and blankets or other textiles, especially if you’re trying to keep things uncluttered in a small apartment.
Footstools are now available in all sorts of provocative colors, upholstery and more. No one is going to put a velvet footstool out on the curb, right? When shopping for your own footstool, try to find one that meets the height of your sofa or other seating (or is a tad lower). It should also be sturdy but not a heavy, clunky piece that’s a chore to move around.
The footstool is both decorative and functional. Not unlike a good throw pillow, interior designers have found numerous uses for this versatile, vibrant furnishing. Find yours in the growing collection of antique and vintage footstools today on 1stDibs.