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Mid-Century Modern Footstools

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Franco Albini Design Large Rattan Ottoman
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Italian design by Franco Albini rattan ottoman.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Rattan

Danish Modern Wingback Chair and Stool with Black Leather in Kaare Klint Style
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Danish modern wing chair with stool in Kaare Klint style. The comfortable chair and stool is upholstered with black leather in strong quality....
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Beech

Midcentury French Artisanal Crème Oak Stool, 1950s, France
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A beautifully French oak stool handmade in 1950s. The stool have nice crafted details such as the organic shaped seating. The stool shows an incredible patina and is in good original condition. We found this unique object at an antique fair...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Oak

Danish Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern ottoman features hardwood legs and supple tufted leather upholstery. Comfortable and stylish addition to any seating arrangement perfect for use as a footstoo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Wood

Brazilian Stool Footrest Ottoman by Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find item by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon. This example is in fair condition, showing cosmetic wear and one tenon has been cracked and re-glued.
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Mongolian Goat Fur Round Footstool, Italy, 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian footstool with solid wood structure upholstered in natural Mongolian black goat fur. Legs made of brass, Italy, 1950s. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs, English, Beech, Danish Taste
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of four Mid-Century Modern dining chairs. English beech, Windsor chairs in the Danish taste dating to circa 1960. Delightful pale colour to the beech Classic Danish...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Beech

Midcentury Leatherette Stool with Wheels, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Leatherette Original condition.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Faux Leather

ELO Footstool in Metal and Rope for Indoor and Outdoor Use by Filipe Ramos
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The ELO stool can be use individually or to complement to the ELO armchair. The shape of the seat provides storage space underneath that can be used to keep books, boxes, and sungla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Aluminum

Cork Side Table / Stool in Vintaged Cognac Leather
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Cork side table / stool in vintaged cognac leather with brass nailheads inspired by mid century design of Paul Frankl, Harvey Probber, Robsjohn Gibbings, Paul McCobb, Hans Wegner, Fi...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Cork

Set of Two White and Aqua Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful white and aqua high quality upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, character...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Fabric

Pine Midcentury Swedish Stool or Side Table
Located in London, GB
A midcentury stool or side table. Pine, Sweden, circa 1960s. Four legs, simple construction. Dimensions: 30 diameter x 30 height in cm.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Pine

Set of Three 20th Century Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velour upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Bar Footstools, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage bar stools. Durable design of a heavy black metal base and chrome footrest. Red micro-suede top.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Iron

Pair of Mini Black Velvet Stools, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful black velvet upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet

Pair of Dunbar Style Ottomans with Brass Legs
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Classic midcentury ottomans or foot stools. Very heavy and thick brass legs, in the style of Dunbar.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Italian Faux Twisted Rope Gold Gilt Metal Bench
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Decorative Mid-Century Modern "twisted" rope window bench with green upholstery.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Metal

Newly Upholstered Lounge Chair and Stool Set, 1950s light multicolored fabric
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered lounge chair and stool set, Italy, 1950s The newly upholstered set comprises a pair of lounge chairs and a stool in c...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Cherry, Fabric

Set of Two White and Red Velvet 20th Century Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velour upholstery in 2 different colors. The stools consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Midcentury Set of Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern Paul McCobb style footstools with iron frames and thick colored cushions. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).    
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Iron

Milo Baughman Parsons Style Pillow Top Ottoman, c. 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Milo Baughman Parsons Style Pillow Top Ottoman, c. 1960s with button tufted seat.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Silk, Wood, Upholstery

Set of Three "Contempo" Ottomans, Benches, Footrests, Poufs
Located in New York, NY
Three ottomans selling either as a lot, or individually, priced individually. These will need to be reupholstered as the foam cushions have become hardened. Square chrome legs, uphol...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Chrome

Heywood Wakefield Swivel Foot Stool, USA 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
whimsical swivel foot stool by Heywood Wakefield--1960s USA
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Maple

Large Leather Clad Rhino Sculpture or Footstool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large rhinoceros animal sculpture clad in dark leather with glass eyes. Handcrafted with a large horn, big enough for use as a footstool. Lovely aged patina.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Glass, Leather

Fritz Hansen 1976 Swan Armchair & Matching Egg Footstool Brown Suede Leather
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original 1976 Fritz Hansen Swan armchair with matching Egg stool in bro...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Suede

Pair of New Red Upholstery Square Brass Frames Benches Stools by Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern brass benches by Paul McCobb.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Danish Mid-Century Modern Bench or Footstool
Located in Atlanta, GA
This vintage Danish modern footstool features sturdy teak legs with original brown tweed upholstery. Can be reupholstered in any COM fabric. Th...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Teak

Arteriors Woven Suede and Brass Stool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Made in India. A square brass footed frame with gray suede webbing overall. Good condition, just some expected tarnish to the brass but a nice patina.
Category

20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Marco Zanuso Bouclé Wool Italian Footstool, 1960s
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 Footstools

Materials

Metal

Part Large Suite Pair of Vintage Midcentury Upholstered Footstools on Castors
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of vintage midcentury fabric upholstered footstools This is part of a suite, I have i...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Upholstery

Two Pairs of Solid Mahogany Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Dallas, TX
We are offering two pairs of Dunbar stools with vinyl tops and mahogany bases. They would work well as footstools for your sofa or favorite chair. There is a rectangular Dunbar label...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Large Square Deep Bronze Velvet Upholstery Tufted Upholstery Ottoman Footstool
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern bronze upholstery tufted stool ottoman by Widdicomb. Ball casters well built construction frame high quality upholstery.  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet

Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Stools / Benches Attributed to Jansen
Located in New York, NY
A pair of elegant Mid-Century Louis XVI style foot stools / ottomans / poofs in the modern neoclassical tradition with tapered legs ending in solid bronze sabots and brass decoration...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Beige Suede Leather Lounge Chair with Matching Ottoman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern swivel lounge chair with matching foot stool. 25 x 20 x 38 - ottoman.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Suede

George Nelson Bench or Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miller bench or vanity stool, model 4698 Solid black lacquer legs with ergonomic curved seat reupholstered with great plains boucle.   
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Mid Century Modern Green Plastic Stool Carrara Matta Torino, Italy, circa 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare pistachio green colored plastic stool or ottoman designed by Carrara & Matta model Senna from the 1970s. The color is pistachio green with a metal ribbon in the middle of the ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Plastic

Diamond Cut Bent Lucite Piano Bench Stool
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern diamond cut Lucite bench or stool.          
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Lucite

Rococo Style Carved Cabriole Leg Stool Ottoman, Footstool
Located in Vienna, AT
Upholstered stool with cabriole legs white/gold lacquered. Made by an unknown Austrian furniture maker, circa 1880. New upholstery on request free ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Walnut

Ottoman Footrest by Dunbar
Located in New York, NY
Ottoman, footrest manufactured by Dunbar. This example is structurally sound, and sturdy, it shows cosmetic wear and will need to be reupholstered. Asymmetrical form, upholstered top...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1970s Modern Italian Brass Ottomans
Located in New York, NY
1970s modern Italian brass ottomans. Newly upholstered.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Club Chair, by Area ID, Midcentury Design, Contemporary, Faux Leather, USA
Located in New York, NY
Reproduction of a Swedish 1950s club chair. Very comfortable. Ultra leather, (faux leather), 100 colors, very durable, 12 weeks. Contact us for color samples. The club chair is price...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Pair of Lucite Arched Benches by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing pair of Charles Hollis Jones "Arched" benches designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1970s. The benches have beautiful 2" thick Lucite legs upholstered in a blue velvet fabric. The pieces are in excellent original condition, the seats can be reupholstered in COM or COL for an additional $200 each. Measurements: 40.75" wide x 21.5" deep x 25" high. Seat 19" high. If you are coming to our show room...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Lucite, Velvet

Pair of Italian 1940s Modern Traditional Stools or Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modern traditional stools enameled white with original coverings.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

John Stuart Ottoman with Sculpted Legs
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A large-scale John Stuart ottoman with sculpted walnut legs. Elegant Mid-Century look, new upholstery.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Pair of 1940's Italian Footstools
Located in Hanover, MA
A very smart pair of 1940's Italian foot stools or small benches. The walnut has been refinished and the gold velvet is original. Elegantly carved legs. The wood base is 12 inches hi...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Set of Three Italian Brass Chiavari Round Stools
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely rare set of three round brass Chiavari stools, made in Italy, circa 1960. Four legs with flared tapered legs around an upper and lower brass ring. Fitted round seat upholst...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Black Leather Metal Stool Johannes Spalt Austria 1961
Located in Vienna, AT
A high-quality black leather vintage leather stool with chromed steel feet and frame, which was designed by Johannes Spalt 1961 Austria and execu...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Pair of Italian Midcentury Carved and Turned Wood Stools or Benches, Italy, 1930
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern traditional benches / stools in richly carved and turned wood.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood

Set of Six Adjustable Architect Stools Designed by Friso Kramer
Located in Antwerp, BE
Adjustable and swivel Industrial architect stools with seats are made in plywood, the base in gray lacquered metal. The height is adjustable from 55 cm...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Metal

Chartreuse Green Warren Platner Stool by 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 Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Set of Four 20th Century Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velour upholstery in 4 different colors. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Paire de tabourets en fer Bertoia
Located in Brussels , BE
Iconic design from Harry Bertoia.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Metal, Wire

1960s Dimitri Omersa 27" Leather Rhinoceros Ottoman Abercrombie Fitch
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
The highly collectable Rhinoceros footstool/ ottoman designed by Dimitri Omersa. Heavy leather patchwork with great patina. This is an older version with nailed on feet. This piece ...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

Iconic Franco Albini Woven Rattan Ottoman, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage rattan round pouf designed by Franco Albini in the 1950s and manufactured by Vittorio Bonacina in the 1960s. An ingeniously designed stool that's composed solely of bent-ra...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Rattan

Warren Platner Large Ottoman / Stool in Blush Pink & Gold Velvet by Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Nickel plated steel Warren Platner ottoman with a blush pink velvet gold lamé shimmer upholstery. This bespoke upholstery is executed from a high end premium fabric brand...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Mid-Century Ts Folding Stool in Oak by Roger Tallon for Sentou, France 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning foldable TS stool in oak designed by Roger Tallon and produced by Sentou in France in the 1970s. This TS stool is fully made in a beautiful dark oak wood and was ingenious...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood, Oak

English Leather Footstool in the form of a Hippo, Jancraft for Dimitri Omersa
Located in Downingtown, PA
Vintage Leather Hippopotamus Stool, After Dimitri Omersa, Jancraft, 1960s-70s The leather footstool or ottoman is designed in the shape of a hippo in a beautiful leather. The hip...
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

MCM Vintage Leather Bull, Dimitri Omersa for Liberty of London
Located in Downingtown, PA
MCM Vintage Leather Bull, Dimitri Omersa for Liberty of London, The 1960-70s The rare Dimitri Omersa leather footstool is designed in...
Category

1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

Mid-century Modern footstools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern footstools for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage footstools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern footstools made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original footstools, popular names associated with this style include De Sede, Dimitri Omersa, Jens Risom, and Abercrombie & Fitch. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for footstools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $132 and tops out at $32,000 while the average work can sell for $1,435.

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