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Victorian Animal Skin Footstools

ViNTAGE OXBLOOD LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED OTTOMAN FOOTSTOOL FOR WINGBACK CHAIR
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, lightly restored aged Oxblood leather Chesterfield tufted footstool Please note the delivery...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

FINE ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN HARDWOOD SHOW FRAME CHESTERFIELD BROWN LEATHER FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Victorian Chesterfield footstool with ...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Lovely Whiskey Brown Hand Dyed Chesterfield Sadle Curved Footstool
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this gorgeous whiskey brown restored hand hyed chesterfield footstool. As mentioned, this footstool is fully restored, our polishers have hand d...
Category

20th Century British Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Vintage Fully Restored Chesterfield Hand Dyed Brown Leather Tufted Footstool
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Chesterfield footstool. A very good looking and well-made stool, it has been upholst...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Antique Restored Brown Leather Chesterfield English Oak Footstool Ottoman Stool
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this restored Victorian circa 1860-1880, hand dyed cigar brown leather single stool or ottoman with internal storage Please note the delivery fe...
Category

Antique 1860s English High Victorian Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Huge Fully Restored Chesterfield Hand Dyed Brown Leather Hearth Footstool
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, extra large, late Victorian, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leather hearth footstool A very good looking coll...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

EXQUISITE VICTORIAN CiRCA 1860 TAN BLACK LEATHER OTTOMAN STOOL FOOTSTOOL STORAGE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Victorian black leather and mahogany ottoman stool Please note the delivery fee listed...
Category

Antique 1860s English High Victorian Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

FINE ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN CLAW & BALL BROWN LEATHER RESTORED CHESTERFIELD FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Victorian Chesterfield footstool with ...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Antique circa 1850 Hand Carved Brown Leather Olive Press Coverted to Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1850 hand carved solid hardwood Olive press which has been repurposed as a large footstool / ottoman An expertly crafted piece...
Category

Antique 1850s European Early Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Oak

Large Victorian Leather Stool
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Victorian leather stool, of long rectangular form, the deep buttoned top reupholstered in blue-black leather, the frieze pierced with a band of flower-buds, all raised on tur...
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Stools

Materials

Leather

Large Victorian Leather Stool
Large Victorian Leather Stool
H 17 in W 73.25 in D 30 in
Antique Cabriolet Leg Fully Restored Hand Dyed Bordeaux Leather Tufted Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, fully restored hand dyed Bordeaux leather footstool. A very good looking and well-made stool, it has been upholstered with high g...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Exquisite Victorian circa 1860 Tan Brown Leather Ottoman Stool Footstool Storage
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this lovely original Victorian tan brown leather and mahogany ottoman stool A well made and good looking traditional Victorian Country House Ottoman. The...
Category

Antique 1860s English High Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Large Deeply Buttoned Chesterfield Leather Library Stool
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Deeply Buttoned Chesterfield leather Library Stool This is a good Sturdy Library Stool it has turned and fluted mahogany legs with brass casters The stool is newly uphols...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

People Also Browsed

Antique Torchere Turned Hand Carved Mahogany Victorian English Pedestal
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very nice, large (high) plant stand made of solid mahogany made around the year 1880.   
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Pedestals

Materials

Mahogany

Chesterfield Brown Leather Tufted Square Footstool Vintage Biker Tan Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this lovely Tan brown leather chesterfield tufted footstool A good looking and comfortable stool, it has a nice heritage patina to it We have cleaned ...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools

Materials

Leather

French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Bed, C 1880
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Louis XVI style giltwood bed. C 1880. Upholstered headboard and footboard with nailhead trim flanked by fluted columns, rising on tapered legs. Interior dimensions : 56.5"...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Giltwood

Lovely Restored Victorian Chesterfield Cigar Brown Leather Chaise Lounge Daybed
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely fully restored Victorian hand dyed cigar brown leather Chesterfield chaise lounge daybed A very good looking well made and exception...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chaise Longues

Materials

Leather

Fine Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Tufted Hand Dyed Tub Club Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Chesterfield tub armchair A very good looking and comfortable armchair, I have some mor...
Category

20th Century English Regency Club Chairs

Materials

Leather

Antique Victorian Whisky Brown Leather Restored Chesterfield Sofa Chaise Lounge
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this very rare fully restored Chesterfield tufted sofa chaise lounge in whiskey brown leather. A very rare example, I have never seen this back before, i...
Category

Antique 1860s English Victorian Chaise Longues

Materials

Leather

Pair of Howard George Smith Signature Scroll Arm Style Brown Leather Armchairs
By George Smith, Howard and Sons
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime large pair of fully restored Howard George Smith style Signature Scroll Arm cigar brown leather armchairs with oversized feather fille...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Leather

19th Century French Gothic Cabinet, Bonnetiere
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Gothic cabinet, Bonnetiere is a marvelous example of the genre, with carved detailing across all three facades! Geometric patterns appear in a series of three on ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Gothic Revival Cabinets

Materials

Oak

PAIR OF LOVELY ANTIQUE OXBLOOD LEATHER CHESTERFIELD GENTLEMAN'S CLUB ARMCHAiRS
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this pair of stunning antique circa 1900 Oxblood leather Chesterfield Club armchairs Please note the delive...
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Armchairs

Materials

Leather

PAIR OF ANTIQUE WILLIAM MORRIS WiNGBACK ARMCHAIRS HAND DYED CIGAR BROWN LEATHER
By Chesterfield, William Morris (English)
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of William Morris style fully restored vintage wingback armchairs in Whisky brown leather...
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Wingback Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Original Hide Regency Chesterfield Brown Leather Library Reading Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Regency circa 1810-1820 Chesterfield distressed leather library reading armchair This is a very decorative piece, the leather...
Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Antique Restored Brown Leather Chesterfield Flamed Hardwood Hall Bench Ottoman
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very large, fully restored Victorian circa 1860-1880, hand dyed cigar brown leather hall bench or ottoman with huge amounts of internal storag...
Category

Antique 1860s English High Victorian Benches

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Huge Original Green Chesterfield Hand Dyed Green Leather Footstool
Located in Berlin, DE
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, large, Chesterfield green leather footstool A very good looking collectable and rare stool, depending on your seating arra...
Category

20th Century English Footstools

Materials

Leather

Fine Important Restored Pair of Antique Howard & Sons Leather Chesterfield Sofas
By Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard and Sons
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare pair of original early Victorian Howard & Son’s Berners street cigar brown leather, fully restored Chesterfield bu...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Sofas

Materials

Leather

Pair of George Smith Restored Brown Leather Occasional Armchairs Desk
By George Smith
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of fully restored George Smith Whiskey brown Georgian style Occasional or desk armchairs RRP £10,400 for the pair. A true mas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Georgian Armchairs

Materials

Leather

circa 1845 C Hindley & Sons Lion Carved Chesterfield Brown Leather Dining Chairs
By Chesterfield, Charles Hindley & Sons
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this very rare and important suite of five fully restored C Hindley & Son’s dining chairs circa 1844-1845 These are a very important and substantial set ...
Category

Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Recent Sales

Swedish Leather Topped Stool with Black and Gold Striped Legs
Located in Seattle, WA
This is the most amazing one of a kind Swedish leather topped stool with black and gold striped legs. The leather top has a beautiful patina, and small nailheads around the bottom pe...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Victorian Stools

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th Century Taxidermy Stool
By Rowland Ward
Located in London, GB
The Walnut upper section of the X-frame with turned arms. The hide covered central seat panel raised on deer-hoof supports united by H-form stretchers. The design and quality of ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Stools

Materials

Animal Skin, Walnut

19th Century Taxidermy Stool
H 16 in W 22 in D 16 in
FiNE FULLY RESTORED LIONS HAIR PAW & MAIN CARVED ANTIQUE BENCH OTTOMAN FOOTSTOOL
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime, ornately hand carved circa 1860 Lions Hairy Paw feet and main, footstool or ottoman with new b...
Category

Antique 1860s English High Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

STUNNING ANTIQUE RESTORED HAND DYED CiGAR BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Victorian Chesterfield footstool Ple...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

FINE ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN HARDWOOD SHOW FRAME CHESTERFIELD BROWN LEATHER FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Victorian Chesterfield footstool with ...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Chesterfield Hand Dyed Leather Footstool on Brass Castors
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely chesterfield hand-dyed brown leather footstool ottoman raised on brass castors. A beautiful piece, studded with studs around the edg...
Category

20th Century British Victorian Footstools

Materials

Brass

ANTIQUE ORIGINAL ViCTORIAN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD OTTOMAN FOOTSTOOL CARVED FRAME
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite original Victorian hand dyed Chesterfield brown leather footstool with ornately hand carved M...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Large Antique Fully Restored Chesterfield Hand Dyed Brown Leather Footstool
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, large, Victorian, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leather hearth footstool with hand carved legs in the George II...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Antique Original Thomas Brooks Victorian Leather Chesterfield Ottoman Footstool
By Thomas Brooks
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this exquisite original stamped Brooks Limited (Thomas Brooks) fully restored hand dyed Chesterfield brown leather ottoman with internal storage A very c...
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Restored Vintage Chesterfield Cigar Brown Leather Hand Dyed Footstool Bench
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this stunning fully restored aged cigar brown leather Chesterfield footstool This is a very fine and well made English stool, ideally suited for one just...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

circa 1920 Restored Claw & Ball Feet Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to this stunning, fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Chesterfield footstool with carved claw & ball feet A very good looking and well made stool, it has...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Early Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Rare Original Victorian Wingback Armchair Chesterfield Brown Leather Footstool
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, fully restored small, Wingback armchair, hand dyed rich cigar brown leather Chesterfield footstool. A very good looking and well ...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Rare Antique circa 1900 Liberty's of London Omersa Leather Elephant Footstool
By Liberty of London, Omersa
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime Liberty’s of London Omersa leather hand dyed Elephant footstool for good luck! These come in varying sizes there is a qu...
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Late Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Antique Fully Restored Hand Dyed Whisky Brown Leather Footstool Brass Castors
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime antique fully restored whisky brown leather footstool A very good looking and comfortable little stool, the leather has been stripp...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

19th Century Carved Walnut X-Frame Stool with Red Leather Seat
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th century early Victorian Period carved walnut X-frame stool, the supports with carved stylised acanthus leaves and paw feet with turned central stretcher, the shaped leathe...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Stools

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Antique Victorian Style Deep Buttoned Leather Stool
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian style deep buttoned leather stool on turned legs with brass caps. It’s in good original condition & the leather has lots of character. I don’t think it’s much more ...
Category

Vintage 1950s European Victorian Stools

Materials

Leather

Pair of Restored Regency Spade Foot Victorian Brown Leather Stools or Footstools
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of original Victorian fully restored flamed mahogany framed footstools with hand dyed brown leather upholstery A stunning pai...
Category

Antique 1860s English High Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Victorian Style Deep Buttoned Leather Stool
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian style deep buttoned leather stool on turned legs with brass caps. It’s in good original condition and the leather has lots of character. I don’t think it’s much mor...
Category

Vintage 1950s European Victorian Stools

Materials

Leather

Stunning Victorian circa 1860 Oxblood Leather & English Walnut Footstool Ottoman
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for auction this stunning original Victorian walnut and oxblood leather ottoman with internal storage A very good looking and well made period stool, cir...
Category

Antique 1860s English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Fully Restored Hand Dyed Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Tufted Footstool
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored cigar brown leather Chesterfield tufted footstool A good looking and well made piece, it has been fully...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Late 19th Century English Swayed Stool
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century stool from England with a braided leather swayed top, following down to hand turned legs, joined by simple stretchers. Raised on turned feet.
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Oak

Late 19th Century English Swayed Stool
Late 19th Century English Swayed Stool
H 12.63 in W 15.63 in D 10.5 in
Stylish Antique Horn Footstool with Cowhide Zebra Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful and functional Victorian footstool from the late 19th century having authentic horn feet and new upholstery in brown and white cowhide zebra stripe.
Category

Antique 19th Century North American Late Victorian Footstools

Materials

Horn, Cowhide

Chesterfield Oxblood Leather Mahogany Frame Footstool Wingbacks Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Oxblood leather Chesterfield footstool This came with a pair of club armchairs and another stool which are listed as a suite under...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather

Victorian Mahogany and Leather Gout Stool Foot Rest
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A late 19th century mahogany and leather gout stool in well cared for original condition. The Leather upholstered cushion with brass nailhead trim with a caned side with mahogany fra...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Long Antique Walnut and Beechwood Brown Leather Two Person Bench Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1900 walnut and beechwood with leather upholstery long bench footstool. Ideally suited for two to share, its very long and qui...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Benches

Materials

Leather, Beech, Walnut

Hand Dyed Aged Brown Leather John Sankey Byron Slipper Armchair and Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original John Sankey Byron hand dyed brown leather library slipper armchair with matching ottoman These were placed in a study an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of William Morris Chesterfield Victorian Wingback Armchairs Brown Leather
By William Morris (English)
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of fully restored William Morris style Victorian wingback armchairs in hand dyed whisky brown leather with matching footstool ...
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Wingback Chairs

Materials

Leather

Made in England Chesterfield Leather Wingback Claw & Ball Armchair and Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely mid-century restored Claw & Ball feet Chesterfield wingback armchair and footstool in brown leather upholstery Please note the deliver...
Category

Vintage 1940s British Victorian Wingback Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Small Early 19th Century Leather Woven Bench Style Footstool Hand-Carved Wood
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning early Victorian handmade leather woven footstool with hand-carved detailing A good looking little stool, the leather is nicely wov...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Benches

Materials

Leather, Oak

Restored Victorian Chesterfield Whiskey Brown Leather Bench Window Seat Stool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely period Victorian Fully restored aged whiskey brown leather Window seat bench Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Benches

Materials

Leather

Pair 19th Century Victorian Walnut Leather Hand Dyed Foot Stools
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of Victorian footstools that have been upholstered in antique brown leather, deep buttoned and hand dyed with close studding to the edge, standing on walnut cabriole legs.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Late Victorian Footstools

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Restored Vintage Handmade in England Chesterfield Wingback Armchair & Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely midcentury restored Chesterfield wingback armchair and footstool in brown leather upholstery A lovely pair, full of vintage charm an...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Wingback Chairs

Materials

Leather

Large Pair of Luxury Green Leather Chesterfield Wingback Armchairs & Footstool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of high-end luxury aged green leather Chesterfield Wingback armchairs and matching footstool A very good looking and lightly us...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Wingback Chairs

Materials

Leather

Antique Mahogany Brown Leather Footstool
Located in Sheffield, MA
Mahogany footstool with molded frame upholstered in a warm reddish brown leather covering mounted on bun feet.
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

19th Century Victorian Century Walnut Leather Foot Stools
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of Victorian footstools that have been upholstered in antique brown leather, deep buttoned and hand dyed with close studding to the edge, standing on walnut cabriol legs.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Late Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Mahogany and Black Leather Footstool
Located in Sheffield, MA
Mahogany framed footstool upholstered in black leather with brass nailheads, mounted on bun feet.
Category

Antique 1860s English Victorian Footstools

Materials

Brass

Mahogany and Black Leather Footstool
Mahogany and Black Leather Footstool
H 7.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Matching Pair of Vintage Aged Brown Leather Chesterfield Footstools / Ottomans
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this matching pair of stunning vintage aged brown leather full sized Chesterfield footstool/ottomans A really good looking vintage pair with sol...
Category

20th Century British Victorian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Oak

RRP £2100 JOHN LEWIS COMPTON BROWN LEATHER ARMCHAIR & FOOTSTOOL Feather Filled
By John Lewis
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely John Lewis Compton aged brown leather with feather filled cushions wingback armchair and matching ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Beech

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Victorian Animal Skin Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of victorian animal skin footstools for sale on 1stDibs. Victorian animal skin footstools have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Many victorian animal skin footstools are appealing in their simplicity, but Chesterfield, John Lewis and Liberty of London produced popular victorian animal skin footstools that are worth a look.

How Much are Victorian Animal Skin Footstools?

Prices for victorian animal skin footstools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, victorian animal skin footstools begin at $395 and can go as high as $11,325, while the average can fetch as much as $1,770.

Finding the Right Footstools for You

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.