Footstools
1920s English Georgian Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Ebony, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Footstools
Wool, Felt
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools
Wood, Elm
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
2010s French Footstools
Alabaster, Bronze
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Footstools
Iron
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools
Wood, Elm
Late 20th Century Indonesian Organic Modern Footstools
Wood, Teak
2010s Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Asian Footstools
Wicker, Rattan
20th Century French Footstools
Brass, Steel
19th Century Antique Footstools
Zebra Hide, Oak
Late 20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Boxwood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Oak
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Brass
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Footstools
Walnut
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wool
Early 1900s English Antique Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century English Kilim Antique Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
20th Century American Organic Modern Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
1970s American Vintage Footstools
Rattan
1950s British Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 20th Century European Footstools
Brass
20th Century American Footstools
Cotton, Wood
1920s English Vintage Footstools
Rope, Oak
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
2010s South American Minimalist Footstools
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Walnut, Paint
Early 19th Century American Country Antique Footstools
Hardwood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Footstools
Brass
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Velvet
19th Century English Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
20th Century English Kilim Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel, Nickel
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.