Footstools
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wool, Teak
1920s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Birch
1860s French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Velvet, Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century American Queen Anne Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Walnut
1990s American Post-Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1820s American Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Chrome
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Wood, Paint
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Fur, Wood
Mid-20th Century Modern Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Rattan
20th Century European Country Footstools
Brass
1760s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Textile, Wood
2010s British Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Late 17th Century English Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Oak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1970s English Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wicker
1960s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Footstools
Textile
2010s Balkan Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood, Ash, Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
20th Century European Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Oak, Leather
Late 20th Century English Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Queen Anne Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Ash
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
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.