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Late 20th Century Steel Footstools

Michel Boyer Style Mid-Century Modern Footstools, Stainless Steel, Black Leather
By Michel Boyer
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Michel Boyer Style Rouve Edition 'X' stools in a brushed stainless steel with a black leather cushion. These impressive Mid-Century Modern benches are simply stunning. The st...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cut Steel

Mies Van Der Rohe Style Barcelona Chromed Steel Red Vinyl Ottoman Footstool 1980
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Mies van der Rohe attributed steel X base Barcelona style ottoman in tufted rust red vinyl upholstery. This Footstool is almost like the authentic Barcelona Serie...
Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Rustic Ax Handle Counter Stools, Set of 4
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of Set of 4 Rustic Ax Handl...
Category

Late 20th Century American Rustic Footstools

Materials

Steel

Rustic Ax Handle Counter Stools, Set of 4
Rustic Ax Handle Counter Stools, Set of 4
H 23.5 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
Jørgen Gammelgaard Unusual Leather Foldable Stool, Danemark 1970
By Jørgen Gammelgaard
Located in Forest, BE
This is an unusual leather version of the yet rare but Classic folding stool by Jørgen Gammelgaard (1938–1991) who was a Danish furniture designer who also designed lamps and silverw...
Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Bench / Ottoman, Leather, Steel
By J.A. Casillas
Located in Stamford, CT
American designer mid-century leather bench. A sectioned leather bench on a steel base by J. A. Casillas. A sleek and stylish bench in the Mid Century Modern Taste on a rectangu...
Category

Vintage 1980s Benches

Materials

Steel

Vintage Brass over Steel and White Upholstered Zig Zag Stool
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage zig zag stool is brass toned in color over steel. It is not brass. It has not been re-plated in brass either. The seat has been re-upholstered in a white textural cotton...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Modern Grey Leather De Sede Footstool or Stool 1980s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Vienna, AT
De Sede vintage footstool or stool from grey leather and steel 1980s Switzerland. Through the pleasant light grey color tone the footstool or stool works with each color tone in you...
Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

1970's Restored Mid-Century Modern Benches with Chrome Bases & Hexagon Pattern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing a pair of 1970’s Mid-Century Modern-style benches, artfully combining style and functionality. Their chrome bases exemplify the sleek design aesthetics of the era and ens...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Karl Springer Style Souffle Pouf
By Karl Springer
Located in Highland, IN
An iconic design of Karl Springer's, the souffle pouf saw many interations by different makers. This example is unmarked, but of very good quality with a chromed steel base and a nic...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Karl Springer Style Souffle Pouf
Karl Springer Style Souffle Pouf
H 18 in W 23 in D 23 in
Pair of Italian Brushed Steel and Leather Upholstered Stools 1970's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of 1970s very chic, leather/brushed steel upholstered ottomans with symmetric cutouts for storage (magazines, etc. Note the cool conical shaped feet. High quality construction...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

People Also Browsed

French Stained Ash Curved Wooden Benches, Set of Two
By Olavi Hanninen
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Primitive stained ash wooden benches, France 1970's. The set is constructed out of solid dark stained Ash wood with nice warm tones. Every single element is carved by hand, this caus...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Ash

ClassiCon Castellar Wall Mirror by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray understood how to combine the aesthetic with the practical as did few designers. The geometrically structured mirror castellar, designed for her summerhouse E1027, is a p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Glass

Modern Counter Stools in Walnut, Cicely Collection
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
These walnut counter height cicely stools are beautifully constructed from solid walnut in Ohio, USA. This stool was style-spotted at the Spring 2022 High Point Market. These stools ...
Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Walnut

Primitive Antique 1740 Spanish 18th Century Three Legged Bench or Coffee Table
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, super rare 18th century Spanish primitive three legged bench which can be used as a coffee table. This has to be one of the olde...
Category

Antique 1740s Spanish Primitive Benches

Materials

Wood

1960s Massimo Vignelli Model 526/g Table or Floor Lamp for Arteluce
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Massimo Vignelli Model 526/g table or floor lamp for Arteluce. Executed in chromed metal and acrylic. The simplicity of Vignelli's design and the sculptural shaping of the mate...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Italian Designer, Wall Mounted Console, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and rattan wall mounted console designed and produced by a Italian designer, Italy, 1950s.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Pair of Armchairs by Lina Bo Bardi
By Lina Bo Bardi
Located in PARIS, FR
The pair of armchairs by Lina Bo Bardi (attributed.) is the Modern Brazilian mid century interpretation of European Modern design but with the twist of tropical wood, Peroba wood. St...
Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Armchairs by Lina Bo Bardi
Pair of Armchairs by Lina Bo Bardi
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 28.75 in
Pierluigi Cerri for Poltrona Frau Sofa in White Leather, 1980s
By Pierluigi Cerri, Poltrona Frau
Located in Berlin, DE
"Ouverture" 3 seat sofa in white leather designed by Pierluigi Cerri for Poltrona Frau, early 1980's.
Category

Antique 1880s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Counter Stool Uçá, Dark Brown Wood (fabric ref : F08)
By Valter Costa Lima
Located in São Paulo, BR
Uçá Stool - The singularities of the Uçá animal are represented in the elongated lines and forms of the Uçá stool, which bears the same name as the crustacean, paying homage to the p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Organic Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

Counter Stool in Ash
By fuugs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In our newest design we took the essence of our dining chair and adapted it into a counter height stool. The design draws the eye up the long tapered leg, to the soft curve of the ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Stools

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut, Oak, Maple, Cherry

Counter Stool in Ash
Counter Stool in Ash
H 33 in W 23 in D 20 in
French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Counter chair, chrome-plated metal, velvet, France, 1970s. This counter or bar stool convinces the viewer's eye with the well-proportioned tubular frame combined with a vibrant re...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
H 30.71 in W 17.33 in D 19.69 in
Midcentury ModeCoffee Table in Hardwood & Chrome by Sergio Rodrigues 1965 Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
The “Amelia” coffee table has chrome-plated brass tube feet, solid jacaranda (Brazilian rosewood) and a rectangular crystal top of 20mm. The tables were originally designed in two sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

19thc Birdcage Windsor Chairs From New England-Set of Six
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing matching set of six Birdcage Windsor chairs are in fine condition and very comfortable. The construction of the chairs are peg and mortised through the top of the birdc...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Chairs

Materials

Wood

Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Ottomans/Stools by Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Barcelona Ottomans/ Stools manufactered by Knoll.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather

C. 1960s Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Ottoman in Red Leather restored
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a circa 1960s production Barcelona stool or ottoman, produced by Knoll, with a leather seat and polished stainless steel frame. This came from the private collection of Gratz...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

EPIFANIA Mapa Burl Veneer Bed in Beige Color
By Studio Christine Kalia
Located in Larnaca, CY
Swedish pine solid wood wrapped in natural Mappa Burl Veneer, transparently matt lacquered. Manufactured by local artisans in Cyprus. Dreaming is an essential concept in the proces...
Category

2010s Greek Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

EPIFANIA Mapa Burl Veneer Bed in Beige Color
EPIFANIA Mapa Burl Veneer Bed in Beige Color
H 10.63 in W 74.81 in D 86.62 in

Recent Sales

Thonet ST670 Armchairs and 1 Footstool 1960
By Thonet, Hanno von Gustedt
Located in Ostend, BE
Very rare!! 2 armchairs and 1 footstool designed by Hanno von Gustedt for Thonet. 1960. Black lacquered steel base in very good condition. Stain free grey fabric is used for the re-u...
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Thonet ST670 Armchairs and  1 Footstool 1960
Thonet ST670 Armchairs and  1 Footstool 1960
H 30.52 in W 23.63 in D 22.84 in
Warren Platner
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Antwerp, BE
A very nice set of one armchair and two stools executed in nickel-plated steel by Warren Platner from the Platner collection for Knoll, 1970s. New upholstered in a blue velvet, in e...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner
Warren Platner
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 22.45 in
Maison Jansen Stool
By Maison Jansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maison Jansen steel and brass campaign stool with original leather. Literature: Jansen Deocation, Leveque ppg 132-133. Les Decorateurs des Annees 1960-1970, Favardin and Bloch-Chamfo...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Footstools

Materials

Brass, Steel

Maison Jansen Stool
Maison Jansen Stool
H 18 in W 24 in D 17 in
Iconic Pk 91 Folding Stool by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, DK 1982
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Antwerp, BE
Iconic PK91 folding stool designed by Poul Kjærholm and manufactured for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1982. This stool is from the second generation and has a stainless steel frame with its...
Category

Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Retro Blue Leather Swivel Chair and Footstool
Located in Tarleton, GB
Swivel chair and footstool. Great looking combination of a retro chair and footstool.  Circa late 80's this is a stunning swivel chair with matching footstool. Strong steel and...
Category

Vintage 1980s British Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Retro Blue Leather Swivel Chair and Footstool
Retro Blue Leather Swivel Chair and Footstool
H 34.26 in W 27.56 in D 37.41 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Bouclé & Gilt Painted X Base Shaped Stools 1970, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Decorative pair of Italian stools in new cream Bouclé upholstery with a gilt painted X shaped steel base. The Base has some wear due to age and History.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Ottoman by Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Highland, IN
One of Afra & Tobia Scarpa's most iconic designs, the "Soriana" was designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1969 and won the Compasso D'Oro award. The concept of the Soriana was to express a des...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

American Mid-Century Pair of Leather Barcelona Pouf by Der Rohe for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in MIlano, IT
American mid-century pair of leather steel Barcelona pouf by Der Rohe for Knoll, 1970s Barcelona rectangular pouf with polyurethane foam seat with black leather upholstery. The stru...
Category

Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Salterini Style Ottoman/Table
By Janus et Cie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Salterini style ottoman or table. Beautiful architectural lines and in good vintage condition. Measurements: 24.50 inches wide x 22 inches deep x 12 inches high.
Category

Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Salterini Style Ottoman/Table
Salterini Style Ottoman/Table
H 12 in W 24.5 in D 22 in
80s Mies Van der Rohe Black Stool, Footstool, Steel, Leather
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Valladolid, ES
A classic in the world of design: the footstool or stools of the designer Mies van der Rohe will never go out of style. It is a clean piece in shape, light in space and luxurious in ...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Pair Of Michel Boyer Style 'X' Stools / Benches Rouve Edition MCM
By François Monnet
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Michel Boyer Style Rouve Edition 'X' stools in a brushed stainless steel with a black leather cushion. These impressive Mid-Century Modern benches are simply stunning. The st...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cut Steel

1970s Leather Ottoman in the Style of Mies Van Der Rohe
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in New York, NY
Leather ottoman in the now Classic modern style of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona pieces. Manufactured in the 1970s. The design is noteworthy for its button-tufted cushion and ...
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Chrome and Tufted Vinyl Foot Stool
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a cute and rather rare Milo Baughman style foot stool. The stool is in good condition and has a tufted black vinyl cushion. The stool is in good condition. Dates to the 1970s...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Oversized Pouf Ottoman on Casters by Pace Collection
By Pace Collection
Located in Southampton, NJ
Oversized stuffed pouf on casters by Pace Collection. Outstanding condition. Clean and ready for use!
Category

Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Footstools

Materials

Steel

Pair of Forged Steel Stools Designed by John Baldasare
Located in Dallas, TX
A contemporary pair of beautifully crafted, hand-forged stools designed by John Baldasare.
Category

Late 20th Century Stools

Materials

Steel

Italian Gilded Faux Rope with Tassels Vanity Stool
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous 1970s Italian vanity stool. The stool is constructed of steel that’s gilded. The seat has been newly recovered with soft dark brown sheepskin. The stool retains made in I...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Stools

Materials

Steel

Bertoia Bird Ottoman by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 1952s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Bucharest, RO
Harry Bertoia, 1952 Designed to accompany the bird chair, but able to fly solo, this ottoman shares the same attention to detail and craftsmanship as its companion. Cover attac...
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Pair of Marzio Cecchi Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Studio Most, Marzio Cecchi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of lounge chairs and an ottoman by Marzio Cecchi for Studio Most. Dimensions (H, W, D): 47.5" H, 28.5" W, 36" D; 16.5" H, 29" W, 26.5" D ottoman.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Steel Based Canape
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Steel based couch made of five parts, handled one to another by a leather thong, with an assorted foot stool. Entirely upholstered with ecru bouclette fabric Pierre Frey.
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Canapes

Materials

Steel

Steel Based Canape
Steel Based Canape
H 27.56 in W 98.43 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Steel Shag Black Faux Lambs Fur Footstools Benches
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful Mid-Century Modern pair of steel, shag black faux lambs fur footstools / benches. Great for any space. Measures: 14" W x 12" D x 16" H.
Category

1990s Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Original Pair of stools at cost price
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Pair of steel and patinated brass footstools, one cushion, fabric from Dedar Company.
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass, Steel

Original Pair of stools at cost price
Original Pair of stools at cost price
H 20.87 in W 29.53 in D 34.26 in
20th century, 1970s Stools Leather Seats
Located in IT
These two eclectic stools are form France from 1970s, there feature black ebonized structure and steel details. The seats have been re-upholstered with withe premium quality leather....
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

20th century, 1970s Stools Leather Seats
20th century, 1970s Stools Leather Seats
H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Harry Bertoia Bird Ottomans Leather Covered Foot Stool for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Restored Bertoia bird ottomans with distressed leather seats. Excellent as a pair of stools.Frames are in original condition, seats are newly constructed.
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Authentic Vintage Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Chair and Ottoman
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Authentic time capsule quality Harry Bertoia for Knoll bird chair with ottoman. The chair is all original with gray woven fabric Knoll cushions and chromed steel wire design. The cha...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of 1970s Maison Charles Stools
By Maison Charles et Fils
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of 1970s Stools with bronze structure and leathear.Impresive quality of manufactured from Maison Charles. They can be founded on Maison Charles book. Nice patina with small a...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Footstools

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Pair of 1970s Maison Charles Stools
Pair of 1970s Maison Charles Stools
H 18.9 in W 22.05 in D 16.54 in
Pair of Chrome "X" Base Benches or Stools
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chrome "X" Base Benches in the style of Paul McCobb circa 1970s. This pair has been recently upholstered as shown and still retains original tag to underside.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Large Leather Lion Footstool by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Bridport, CT
Rare to find, wonderful foot rest / ottoman in the form of a lion in hand stitched leather with an inner steel frame hand made by Dimitri Omersa, England. Leather strands, body, eyes...
Category

Vintage 1970s British Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Easy Chair 0N1 and Foot-Rest by Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Paris, FR
1972 easy chair and foot-rest by Oscar Niemeyer, edited by Tendo, Base in lacquered black plywood, chair-seat, back and foot-rest in black leather, steel fastening system. Dimens...
Category

Vintage 1970s Brazilian Footstools

Materials

Steel

Easy Chair 0N1 and Foot-Rest by Oscar Niemeyer
Easy Chair 0N1 and Foot-Rest by Oscar Niemeyer
H 27.17 in W 27.96 in D 38.19 in
"George" Square ottoman by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The George Ottoman by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia sits low to the ground on a tubular steel metal base. The square ottoman is upholstered in brown pony leather and is in excellen...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Pillow Footstool in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Group of pillows on a steel Louis XV Style base. In the manner of Maison Jansen. Pillows are all attached together and are removable.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Stools

Materials

Steel

Pair of Chromed Steel X-Base Benches after Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
A pair of chromed steel x-base benches with integral handle like ends for easy moving and sling upholstered seats in the original fabric. After Milo Baughman. American, circa 1970.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Footstools

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Original Leather Stressless Swivel Lounge Chairs by Ekornes
Located in Vancouver, BC
Fantastic example of the original model of the Ekorners Stressless arm chair with the matching foot stool. Chair is totally original with the reddish, burnt umber leather in remarkab...
Category

Vintage 1970s Norwegian Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Jansen Folding X-bench
Located in New York, NY
Folding x- bench with leather seat in steel with brass finials and lion feet.
French, c. 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s French Benches

Materials

Steel, Brass

Jansen Folding X-bench
Jansen Folding X-bench
H 18 in W 25 in D 17.5 in
pair of folding stools in steel and black leather
Located in Paris, ile de france
x style foldind pair of stools with black leather seat
Category

Late 20th Century Stools

Materials

Steel

A Set of Four Leather Ottomans by YRJO KUKAPURRO
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of four chromed steel and leather square shaped, upholstered ottomans, which can be configured in any way-bench, seating area, separately, etc...Note the rounded profile...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Footstools

Materials

Chrome, Steel

A Pair of Round Stools Upholstered in Tibetan Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A pair of round stood each featuring tripod shaped bases composed of tapering steel legs in faux bamboo which support cushions with all new upholstery in cream colored curly Tibetan ...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Pair Poufs
Located in Southampton, NY
Delightful pair chrome base ottomans or stools on casters.
Category

Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Pair Poufs
Pair Poufs
H 20 in W 24 in D 24 in
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Late 20th Century Steel Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of late 20th century steel footstools for sale on 1stDibs. Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Hollywood Regency late 20th century steel footstools are consistently popular styles. Many late 20th century steel footstools are appealing in their simplicity, but B&B Italia, Harry Bertoia and Antonio Citterio produced popular late 20th century steel footstools that are worth a look.

How Much are Late 20th Century Steel Footstools?

Prices for late 20th century steel footstools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, late 20th century steel footstools begin at $600 and can go as high as $18,792, while the average can fetch as much as $2,650.

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.