Footstools
2010s Mexican Bauhaus Footstools
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Late 20th Century European Footstools
Brass
2010s North American Footstools
Brass, Metallic Thread
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Beech, Jacquard
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Footstools
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Footstools
Fabric, Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Footstools
Velvet
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
1920s English Jacobean Vintage Footstools
Oak
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Leather
Early 18th Century English Antique Footstools
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Rattan
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 2000s European Art Deco Footstools
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Marble
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Beech, Jacquard
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
Mid-19th Century Welsh Folk Art Antique Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Beech, Jacquard
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Footstools
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
2010s Portuguese Footstools
Marble
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Wood
Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Burlap, Wood, Walnut
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.