French Hardwood Footstools
Antique 1820s French Neoclassical Stools
Fabric, Beech
Antique 1840s French Aubusson Footstools
Walnut, Nutwood, Wood, Wool, Tapestry, Fabric
Antique 1860s French Neoclassical Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Fabric, Beech
Antique 1890s French Neoclassical Footstools
Fruitwood, Paint
Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fabric, Beech, Wool
2010s French Organic Modern Stools
Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Fabric, Fruitwood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Elm
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Stools
Velvet, Nutwood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Teak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Stools
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood
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Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Ottomans and Poufs
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Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Footstools
Fabric, Elm
1990s French Stools
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Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Elm
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Stools
Elm
Antique 1820s French Biedermeier Footstools
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Beech
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
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Hardwood
Vintage 1950s French French Provincial Benches
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Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Stools
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Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Footstools
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20th Century French Renaissance Revival Benches
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Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Stools
Nutwood, Velvet
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Fabric, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Footstools
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Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Beech
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Beech
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Benches
Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Footstools
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
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Early 20th Century French Rococo Revival Footstools
Fruitwood, Leather
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Stools
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Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Footstools
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Antique 19th Century French Footstools
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Early 20th Century French Louis XV Benches
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20th Century French Footstools
Beech
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Stools
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Vintage 1930s French Aesthetic Movement Footstools
Beech
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Footstools
Beech
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Cherry, Linen
Early 20th Century French Stools
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20th Century French Footstools
Beech, Paint, Cane
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French Hardwood Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs
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Finding the Right Footstools for You
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.
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