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Vintage Footstools

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Yngve Ekström for Swedese Grey Fabric Sofa and Footstool, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in London, GB
Yngve Ekström was one of the most important figures in the evolution of the Scandinavian Modernism movement and co-founder of the furniture design company Swedese. The sofa is forme...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Pine

1980s Vintage Ethan Allen Billy Baldwin style flame stitch Stools a pair
By Billy Baldwin
Located in Portage, MI
Vintage 1980s pair of Ethan Allen pillow top stools. In the style of Billy Baldwin. Original lavender purple and peachy pink flame stitch pattern. These are great versatile pieces. I...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Cotton, Polyester

Mid century Zebra Hide & Chrome Ottoman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage, C.1970s large Zebra hide Ottoman on a straight line square Chrome base.. There a a few repairs that are hand stitched, to the hide, very well done.. The Chrome base is in ve...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Zebra Hide

Pair of Carved Wood Stools
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of carved wood stools with beautiful carved detail on the foot. New upholstery.
Category

1930s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Vintage Pair of Carved Wood Stools
Pair of Carved Wood Stools
H 17.5 in W 20.5 in D 18 in
Pair of Midcentury Leopard Velvet Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful leopard high-quality upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Beech

French Wooden Footstool with Leather Cushion, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
French; Sofa Set; Living Room Set; Leather Cushions; 1960s; Armchair; Club Chair; Lounge Chair; Loveseat; Two-Seater; Settee; Sofa; Footstool; Ottoman; Coffee Table; French Design; ...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Light Creme Boucle Vintage Stool, Edmund Homa, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stool was designed by ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Bouclé, Beech

Midcentury Blue Vintage Stool, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful blue high quality upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Fabric

20th Century Baby Pink Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful baby pink upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Vintage 20th Century Baby Pink Stool, 1960s
20th Century Baby Pink Stool, 1960s
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Red Velvet Vintage Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful red velvet upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Velvet

De Sede Patchwork Black Leather Pouf
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous black leather pouf by Swiss designer De Sede with small rectangular patchwork. Perfect accent piece. Good vintage condition.  
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

Mid-Century Modern Marco Zanuso Bouclé Wool Italian Footstool, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Madrid, ES
Footstool made of four legs and metallic structure upholstered with bouclé wool, Koala model edited by Pierre Frey. Edited by Artflex, Italy, 1960s. Every item LA Studio offers is c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Metal

De Sede Dark Red Leather Patchwork Ottoman, 1960s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic red leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Handmade with wonderful faded patina or varying hues of reds. Gorgeous accent piece. Good vintage condi...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

Mid Century Alpaca White Faux Fur Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful white faux fur white upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, char...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Beech

STUNNiNG & COLLECTABLE VINTAGE GEORGE SMITH CHELSEA KILIM FOOTSTOOL OTTOMAN
By George Smith
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite and highly collectable Vintage George Smith Kilim Ottoman Please note the delivery fee list...
Category

20th Century English Kilim Vintage Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

French Mid-20th Century Iron Stool or Tabouret
Located in Buisson, FR
French weathered iron stool with a great robust looking patina. France, circa 1950. Weathered but very good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Vintage Footstools

Materials

Iron

French Mid-20th Century Iron Stool or Tabouret
French Mid-20th Century Iron Stool or Tabouret
H 12.21 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Set of Two-Light Crème Boucle Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. The stools consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stools were designed by ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Fabric

Moroccan Hand Tooled Leather Pouf in Baby Pink Color
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan baby pink color round pouf hand tooled and embroidered in Marrakesh. Beautiful geometrical designs are hand-stitched on this Moroccan stool by expert Artisan. Use these ...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Moorish Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

Amazonian Checkered Foot Stool in Madeiras Wood, 1980's
Located in London, GB
This rare and unique stool/small bench was designed in Manauas-AM, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, by Luiz Galvao.
Category

1980s South American Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Hardwood

Mid century Scandinavian brown leather rosewood ottoman Norway
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid century Scandinavian brown leather rosewood ottoman Norway. Brown leather cushion with rosewood legs and frame. Labeled made in Norway. Located in Brooklyn NY. Measures 24” x 24...
Category

1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Pair of Tripod Danish Hand-Carved Stools
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Tripod Danish Stools, sold as a pair Suitable as ottomans, occasional stools, or side tables Hand-carved in a soft wood, with a natural patina that has contributed to its antique all...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Wood

Soccer Ball Leather Bean Bag Chair & Lounger Poof Made of Genuine Leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful leather footrest poof ottoman. The leather poof is in a very good used condition, wood with a nice patina, gives your living room a beautiful style. Found at an estate sa...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

Largest Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, Signed
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Lisse, NL
A wonderful and original collectors example of the large-size rhinoceros footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch. This impressive size and highly decorative design Rhi...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Glass

Jindrich Halabala Stool in Decorative Upholstery
By Jindrich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jindrich Halabala for UP Závody, footstool, tabouret, ottoman, fabric, oak, Czech Republic, 1930s. This poetic pouf is designed in the 1930s when the Art Deco Period was at its high...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Oak

RALPH LAUREN WRITER'S CHESTERFIELD FOOTSTOOL OTTOMAN IN HERiTAGE BROWN LEATHER
By Chesterfield, Ralph Lauren
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Vintage Heritage brown leather Ralph Lauren Writer's Chesterfield tufted footstool ottoman P...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Oak

Mid century stool, footrest by Krasna Jizba, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia
By Krasna JIzba
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This Vintage stool/footrest was made by Krásná Jizba company in the former Czechoslovakia in the in the 1960´s. They features an unconventional design, irregular shaping. It´s made o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Beech

Pirkka Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pirkka Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, c.1950s, Finland. This pine stool features a dark stained rectangular seat and four splayed legs. Dimensions
 17" width x 12.25" d...
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Pine

Small Infant Liberty's London Omersa Brown Leather Hippopotamus Footstool
By Dimitri Omersa, Liberty of London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather land dyed infant Hippo stool or footstool with original...
Category

1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

Mid 20th Century, Danish Footstool by Hugo Frandsen
By Hugo Frandsen
Located in Bristol, GB
A sweet footstool, designed and manufactured in Denmark in the 1960's by Hugo Frandsen. Newly upholstered in a light charcoal linen.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Linen

Ekornes Stressless Adjustable Sandstone Leather Recliner Ottoman Norway Medium
By Ekornes Stressless
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Scandinavian style recliner and ottoman by Ekornes, their Stressless brand. With teak wood bases and metal frame and genuine leather upholstery, this is a comfortable sandstone col...
Category

1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Metal

Pair of Stools in Oak, Reupholstered in Lambswool, Danish Cabinetmaker, 1950s
By Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen
Located in Odense, DK
A pair of Danish modern stools in oak with curly legs, hexagon seats reupholstered great quality lambswool. Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in the 1950s. A rare pair with an intriguing...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Lambskin, Sheepskin, Wool, Oak

Levantine Mother of Pearl Inlaid Stools, Set of Four
Located in El Monte, CA
A set of four levantine mother of pearl inlay stools with carved wooden sides and legs. Curved seat frame on four turned legs united by stretchers, with interlaced rope seat.
Category

20th Century African Vintage Footstools

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rope, Wood

MCM 3 Walnut Cube Stools Black Upholstered Tops Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Topeka, KS
Amazing Mid-Century Modern trio of square walnut cube stools number 42102-01 with black faux leather upholstered tops by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture’s Patterns 7 line. Bea...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Chartreuse Green Warren Platner Stool by Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
High model stool from the 'Wire series' by American designer Warren Platner for Knoll International in nickel execution with a chartreuse green mohair velour Knoll fabrics upholstery...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Large footstool "PIG" by Dimitri Omersa. 1960s. Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Köln, NW
Large footstool "PIG" by Dimitri Omersa. 1960s. Abercrombie & Fitch. The pig was one of Omersa´s first models The large pig is filled with wood wool and covered in leather. The leat...
Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

COLLECTABLE VERY LARGE ViNTAGE GEORGE SMITH CHELSEA FLORAL FOOTSTOOL OTTOMAN
By George Smith
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite and highly collectable Vintage George Smith floral upholstered extra large footstool Please...
Category

20th Century English Country Vintage Footstools

Materials

Upholstery

Vintage Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch Rhino or Rhinoceros Leather Footstool
By Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage leather footstool. Designed by Daniel Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch in the 1960's. In the form of a standing rhinoceros with its signature folded eyes, floppy ears,...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

Mid-century German Mountain Goat Footstool c.1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Vintage Mountain Goat footstool made with Lambswool or Mohair wool, leather ears, natural horns and black metal eyes, circa 1960s. The face is covered in short, soft wool. Mad...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Wool, Mohair, Wood

Pair of Maison Bagues Style Faux Bamboo Metal French Benches or Foot Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Nice pair of metal faux bamboo Maison Bagues style rectangular benches. The benches have plastic white toe caps to protect the floor. We can see one is missing. They are in good vint...
Category

1970s Unknown Directoire Vintage Footstools

Materials

Metal

Pair of Italian Wrought Iron Gilded X Form Tassle Benchs Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of benches from the 1950-60s era in the Hollywod Regency style. The benches are in good vintage condition and may show minor wear or minor subtle stains to up...
Category

1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid 20th Century, Danish Round Tripod Footstool
Located in Bristol, GB
A charming, round footstool with tapering teak legs and a padded cushion which has been newly upholstered in black faux leather.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Faux Leather, Teak

Mid-Century 'Il Kubile' Cubic Stool, by Pellegrini for MIM Roma, Italy, 1970s
By Luigi Pellegrin, MIM Roma
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning cube-shaped pouf stool "Il Kubile". This fantastic piece was designed by Luigi Pellegrin for MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni), Ico Parisi's historic company, in Italy during th...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Resin, Velvet

Pair of Paul McCobb Brass Stools Silver Shagreen Leather
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Paul McCobb brass stools, shagreen silver leather, with brass criss-cross bases, adjustable feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Brass

Round Continental Stool With Scalamandré Cheetah
Located in Tampa, FL
A lovely 19th century round carved wooden foot stool thats upholstered in very old Scalamandré cheetah silk velvet fabric. The legs are a heavy porcelain very nicely detailed with in...
Category

1980s French Vintage Footstools

Materials

Textile, Wood

Mid Century Wool Hand Tufting Vintage Stool, Denmark, 1960
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. The stool is after full ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Beech

A Guillerme et Chambron oak and fabric stool
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An unusual stool in oak and fabric
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Oak

A Guillerme et Chambron oak and fabric stool
A Guillerme et Chambron oak and fabric stool
H 17.72 in W 18.51 in D 16.54 in
Art Deco Stool, Material Iron and Brown Leather Country France, 1930
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Stools Art Deco. Material: iron and leather You want to live in the golden years, this is the stool that your project needs. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nou...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Bauhaus Chrome teak fabric Dressing table stool footrest , 1960s
By Sven Ivar Dysthe
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
Mid Century Vintage footrest ottoman is made in typical mid-century style. The stool was made most probably in the 1960/70s. Designed in the manner of Sven Ivar Dysthe for Dokka Mo...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Bauhaus Vintage Footstools

Materials

Chrome

Low Hunting Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Oak and Red Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hunting lounge chair with ottoman, oak, rope, fabric, Germany, 1960s This relaxing chair shows a minimal design combined with great woodworking. An open character is created by the ...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Oak, Rope

Vintage Cushioned Upholstered Stool With Storage and Wooden Frame.
Located in Seattle, WA
This Stool has beautiful carved detailing and Aging to the wood. The Upholstery has a stunning floral pattern. The seat lifts up to reveal a storage compartment. Vintage Condition Co...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Textile, Wood

Antique Repurposed Wagon Wheel Hub Decorative Wooden Art Piece.
Located in Seattle, WA
Rustic Art piece with tan seat, could be used as a small stool or footrest. Rad, blue and black colored Accents. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 9 Dia...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Wood

Funky Vintage Brass Suzani Seat, Stool
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage swivel stool made of solid brass , upholster with beautiful hand embroidery vintage Suzani textile , silk embroidered flowers and vine with wine and turquoise c...
Category

20th Century American Vintage Footstools

Materials

Brass

1960's, Refinished Danish Footstool with Leather Upholtery
Located in Knebel, DK
1960's Refinished Danish footstool with leather upholstery. Danish footstool in slimlined minimalistic yet advanced Scandinavian modern design with it's combination of straight simp...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Beech

Mies van der Rohe Knoll Barcelona ottoman with brown leather cushion
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Ferndale, MI
Barcelona chair and the matching footstool were designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, for the German Pavilion at the International Exposition of 1929, hosted by Barce...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Stainless Steel

TETRAD BROWN LEATHER LARGE FOOTSTOOL LARGE ENoUGH FOR TWO PEOPLE TO SHARE
By Tetrad
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Tetrad heritage brown leather footstool A good looking and comfortable stool, it has a nice her...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

SMALL SiZED LIBERTY'S LONDON OMERSA BROWN LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL
By Liberty of London, Omersa
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original, small sized 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather han...
Category

1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather

Vintage Wesley Hall Traditional Burnt Orange Leather & Mahogany Ottoman Nailhead
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century leather upholstered ottoman or footstool by Wesley Hall. Features a rectangular frame with burnt orange leather, brass nailhead trim and turned mahogany feet. Wes...
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

2 Vintage Hancock & Moore Austin Brown Leather Nailhead Ottomans Footstool Pair
By Hancock & Moore
Located in Dayton, OH
Beautiful pair of Hancock & Moore Austin Traditional Ottomans. Upholstered a rich top grain brown leather with brass nailhead trim. The rectangular form features a cushioned top and ...
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

2 Vintage Theodore Alexander French Carved Mahogany Leather Ottomans Foot Stools
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of Late 20th century Ottomans / Foot stools by Theodore Alexander. French Country / Baroque inspiration with carved mahogany frames. Upholstered in brown tooled leather with nai...
Category

Late 20th Century French Provincial Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Safari rosewood and leather Erik Worts Ottoman for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960
By Erik Wørts
Located in Braga, Braga
Safari Ottoman designed by Erik Worts for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960. Made of solid rosewood and leather. Very nice patinated leather seat but still in good vintage condition. S...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

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Vintage Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of vintage footstools for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, animal skin and fabric, all vintage footstools available were constructed with great care. Vintage footstools have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Art Deco vintage footstools are consistently popular styles. There have been many well-made vintage footstools over the years, but those made by De Sede, Dimitri Omersa and Abercrombie & Fitch are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Vintage Footstools?

Vintage footstools can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $1,600, while the lowest priced sells for $1 and the highest can go for as much as $40,000.

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.