Footstools
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hickory, Oak
Early 1900s Gothic Antique Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
1970s English Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century British Chinese Chippendale Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Wood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Footstools
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Papercord, Teak
Early 20th Century Footstools
Wood
20th Century European Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Plastic
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Oak
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Walnut
1950s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
1980s Hong Kong Vintage Footstools
Rattan, Wood
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Katalox
20th Century Indian Romantic Footstools
Brass
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather, Teak
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
19th Century Antique Footstools
Walnut, Velvet, Hardwood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Oak, Rope
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Footstools
Leather
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1980s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
2010s Renaissance Footstools
Mahogany
19th Century Irish Antique Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Footstools
Cowhide, Wood
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Footstools
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
1960s English Kilim Vintage Footstools
Upholstery
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.