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American Steel Footstools

Chartreuse Green Warren Platner Stool by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Mid Century Modern Splayed Leg Compact Piano Window Bench Tufted Black Vinyl
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice mid-century modern splayed legs bench in style of M. Baughman.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Mies Van Der Rohe Style Barcelona Chromed Steel Red Vinyl Ottoman Footstool 1980
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Mies van der Rohe attributed steel X base Barcelona style ottoman in tufted rust red vinyl upholstery. This Footstool is almost like the authentic Barcelona Serie...
Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Rustic Ax Handle Counter Stools, Set of 4
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of Set of 4 Rustic Ax Handl...
Category

Late 20th Century American Rustic Footstools

Materials

Steel

Rustic Ax Handle Counter Stools, Set of 4
Rustic Ax Handle Counter Stools, Set of 4
H 23.5 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boucle Stools: A Fusion of Craftsmanship & Elegance
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Presenting a pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern boucle stools, a testimony to timeless charm and impeccable craftsmanship. Originating from the iconic 1960s, these stools have been s...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Vintage Brass over Steel and White Upholstered Zig Zag Stool
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage zig zag stool is brass toned in color over steel. It is not brass. It has not been re-plated in brass either. The seat has been re-upholstered in a white textural cotton...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Wire Ottoman
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized steel wire ottoman in bouclé, designed by Warren Platner for his namesake Platner collection for Knoll. Now a Classic modern form that is at once Industrial and organic. Up...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

1970's Restored Mid-Century Modern Benches with Chrome Bases & Hexagon Pattern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing a pair of 1970’s Mid-Century Modern-style benches, artfully combining style and functionality. Their chrome bases exemplify the sleek design aesthetics of the era and ens...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Karl Springer Style Souffle Pouf
By Karl Springer
Located in Highland, IN
An iconic design of Karl Springer's, the souffle pouf saw many interations by different makers. This example is unmarked, but of very good quality with a chromed steel base and a nic...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Karl Springer Style Souffle Pouf
Karl Springer Style Souffle Pouf
H 18 in W 23 in D 23 in

People Also Browsed

Breathtaking Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Milo Baughman, circa 1975
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent dining table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. An excep...
Category

Vintage 1970s North American Organic Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Olive

Gio Ponti F.A. 33 Medium Mirror in Black Brass
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti F.A. 33 medium mirror in black brass. The F.A. 33 Mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp, glass, and mirror ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Gio Ponti F.A. 33 Medium Mirror in Black Brass
Gio Ponti F.A. 33 Medium Mirror in Black Brass
H 31.49 in W 21.25 in D 0.98 in
Matteo Grassi Modern Italian Leather Wall-Mounted Console
By Matteo Grassi
Located in Roma, IT
Sleek wall-mounted console table of green leather with 2 drawers by Matteo Grassi. Original Italian wall hung green leather clad console table with black interiors. Totally upholste...
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Tulip Vase, by Marcel Wanders, Delft Blue Hand-Painted, 2006, Unlimited Unique
By MARCEL WANDERS
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Tulip vase Big is available as an exclusive Personal Edition, Marcel's label carrying works of a more personal and experimental nature. The pieces of the Delft Blue series are unlimi...
Category

Early 2000s Dutch Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Primitive Antique 1740 Spanish 18th Century Three Legged Bench or Coffee Table
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, super rare 18th century Spanish primitive three legged bench which can be used as a coffee table. This has to be one of the olde...
Category

Antique 1740s Spanish Primitive Benches

Materials

Wood

Bespoke Octagon Sea Green Murano Glass Mirror, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Bespoke octagon sea green Murano glass mirror, in stock Vivid and intense sea green glass block with naturally occurring air inclusions throughout Highly polished faceted pattern ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Modern Counter Stools in Walnut, Cicely Collection
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
These walnut counter height cicely stools are beautifully constructed from solid walnut in Ohio, USA. This stool was style-spotted at the Spring 2022 High Point Market. These stools ...
Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Walnut

Serpentine Vertical Ceramic Wall Sconce by Farrah Sit - Single or Mirrored Pair
By Farrah Sit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In this sandy slipcast ceramic wall sconce, generous curves are paired with crisp edges and the repetition of geometry to create a flow. The sconce snakes up and off the wall, a scul...
Category

2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Olive Glossy Lacquer Top Round Coffee Table by B&B Italia - Available Now
By B&B Italia
Located in Tulsa, OK
The key feature of the B&B Italia Maru round coffee table is the thick top combined with the structure composed of three die-cast aluminum legs. It would be an ideal choice as a tabl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Lana Dining Chair, Ivory Bouclé & Wood Chair by Christian Siriano
By Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order wood & bouclé dining chair designed by Christian Siriano. Fabric for seat/back cushion: Ivory Bouclé Base: Red oak Measures: Front seat width: 18” Back seat...
Category

2010s American Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Leather Pendant Light in Camel, Capa, Talabartero Collection Saddle Lamp
By L'Aviva Home
Located in New York, NY
The lamps in this collection are inspired by Colombia’s equestrian heritage, layered with a jewel-toned color palette that takes inspiration from the works of Colombian artist Fernan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights a...

Materials

Brass

Pierluigi Cerri for Poltrona Frau Sofa in White Leather, 1980s
By Poltrona Frau, Pierluigi Cerri
Located in Berlin, DE
"Ouverture" 3 seat sofa in white leather designed by Pierluigi Cerri for Poltrona Frau, early 1980's.
Category

Antique 1880s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Counter Stool Uçá, Dark Brown Wood (fabric ref : F08)
By Valter Costa Lima
Located in São Paulo, BR
Uçá Stool - The singularities of the Uçá animal are represented in the elongated lines and forms of the Uçá stool, which bears the same name as the crustacean, paying homage to the p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Organic Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

Counter Stool in Ash
By fuugs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In our newest design we took the essence of our dining chair and adapted it into a counter height stool. The design draws the eye up the long tapered leg, to the soft curve of the ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Stools

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut, Oak, Maple, Cherry

Counter Stool in Ash
Counter Stool in Ash
H 33 in W 23 in D 20 in
French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Counter chair, chrome-plated metal, velvet, France, 1970s. This counter or bar stool convinces the viewer's eye with the well-proportioned tubular frame combined with a vibrant re...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
H 30.71 in W 17.33 in D 19.69 in
Folding Screen 'Separe' Room Divider in Sottsass Grey Veneer
By Daniel Nikolovski and Danu Chirinciuc
Located in San Pietro di Morubio, Verona
Imperfections and irregularity are the most highly regarded form of beauty at KABINET. The designer duo are mesmerised by the almost-deformed-looking grains of elm burl - commonly fo...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Recent Sales

Americano woven cane and blackened steel ottoman stool
By James Devlin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rustic, contemporary ottoman with metal base and stretched fiber rush seat. Metalwork is available in multiple finish options. Dimensions are fully customizable.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Antwerp, BE
A very nice set of one armchair and two stools executed in nickel-plated steel by Warren Platner from the Platner collection for Knoll, 1970s. New upholstered in a blue velvet, in e...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner
Warren Platner
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 22.45 in
Meet the Rooted Bench, a Contemporary Combination of Steel and Leather
By MFGR Designs
Located in Bozeman, MT
This raw steel and leather bench is derived from the Pole Barns that scatter the Montana landscape. This contemporary solution is available in a variety of colors and finish combinat...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Minimal Terra Bench Mixes Leather and Steel by Aguirre Design with COL or COM
By Aguirre Design
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully upholstered in rich double-stitched leather, the plush seat of our Terra bench mixes comfort with contemporary styling, making it an ideal fit for entryways or at the foo...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner Large Ottoman / Stool in Blush Pink & Gold Velvet by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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. Ottoman w...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Eero Saarinen Womb Ottoman for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of the most celebrated furniture designs in modern history, the 1948-designed Womb chair and ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll was designed to encourage a relaxed sitting postur...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Eero Saarinen Womb Ottoman for Knoll
Eero Saarinen Womb Ottoman for Knoll
H 16 in W 25.5 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Chrome and Tufted Vinyl Foot Stool
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a cute and rather rare Milo Baughman style foot stool. The stool is in good condition and has a tufted black vinyl cushion. The stool is in good condition. Dates to the 1970s...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Oversized Pouf Ottoman on Casters by Pace Collection
By Pace Collection
Located in Southampton, NJ
Oversized stuffed pouf on casters by Pace Collection. Outstanding condition. Clean and ready for use!
Category

Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Footstools

Materials

Steel

Bronze 1970s Warren Platner Stool in Knoll Velvet Upholstery by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Bronze Warren Platner ottoman from the 1970s upholstered in a Knoll 'Velvet' (Mohair) upholstery. In the 1960s, American designer Warren Platner transformed steel wire into a sculptu...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Pair of Black Powder Coated and Brass Ottomans by Salterini
By Salterini
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful pair of black powder coated steel with satin brass feel ottoman design by Salterini in the 1960’s. Newly powder coated flat black. They can be used indoors or outdoors. ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Bronze 1970s Warren Platner Stool in Knoll Velvet Upholstery by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Bronze Warren Platner ottoman from the 1970s upholstered in a Knoll 'Velvet' (Mohair) upholstery. In the 1960s, American designer Warren Platner transformed steel wire into a sculpt...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Woven Leather and Iron Stool by Max Gottschalk
By Max Gottschalk
Located in Providence, RI
Woven leather and iron stool, designed by Max Gottschalk, circa 1966.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Vintage Railroad Step Stool
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Great vintage railroad step stool with original orange painted steel frame and raw wood steps. Fantastic chipped paint on frame that reads "Luther Milwaukee USA". All original and be...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Stools

Materials

Steel

Vintage Railroad Step Stool
Vintage Railroad Step Stool
H 15.5 in W 17 in D 12 in
Gilbert Rohde Troy Sunshade Machine Age Art Deco Ottoman Stool Liebes Fabric
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Dallas, TX
Gilbert Rohde Troy Sunshade Machine Age Art Deco ottoman stool liebes fabric Troy Streamline Metal model # 29 Leg Rest, "Made by Troy / Designed by Rohde" 1934 Catalog. Rare Orig...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair and Ottoman
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair 'model 1705' and ottoman, steel and brown fabric, United States, design 1966, production later. This iconic easy chair by Warren Platner is cr...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair and Ottoman
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair and Ottoman
H 38.98 in W 40.95 in D 37.41 in
Art Deco Inspired Nickel Silver and Upholstered Griffin Bench
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely small bench in the style of art deco has been restored with nickel silver over the steel base. The two sides have elements of griffins as the design. There is a flower d...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Art Deco Benches

Materials

Steel, Nickel

First Knoll Edition Vintage Barcelona Stool in Black Leather and Steel, 1953
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderfully patinated first Knoll edition vintage Barcelona stool in black leather and polished steel, 1953.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Vintage Signed Barcelona Stool Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Geneva, CH
Vintage Barcelona black leather stool signed Knoll under the cushion By Mies van der Rohe, Knoll edition Very good condition.
Category

Antique 1720s American Footstools

Materials

Steel

Vintage Signed Barcelona Stool Knoll
Vintage Signed Barcelona Stool Knoll
H 14.18 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Authentic Vintage Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Chair and Ottoman
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Authentic time capsule quality Harry Bertoia for Knoll bird chair with ottoman. The chair is all original with gray woven fabric Knoll cushions and chromed steel wire design. The cha...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Brass and Steel Neoclassical Benches
Located in New York, NY
Custom made, Neoclassical benches upholstered glazed textured linen with brass feet and end details.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass, Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair and Ottoman
By Warren Platner
Located in Stamford, CT
Warren Platner for Knoll easy chair and ottoman of nickel-plated steel and bright green wool upholstery. Seat height: 16". Ottoman: 24" diameter.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

John Vesey Tufted Luggage Leather Aluminum Campaign Bench w Stunning Silhouette
By John Vesey
Located in Hudson, NY
John Vesey Campaign bench re-done in a tan colored leather.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Benches

Materials

Steel

Pullman Step Stool
By Morton Manufacturing Co.
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted and beautifully scaled industrial footstool in patinated steel having an arched apron, raised perforated top and distinctive circular cutouts.
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Footstools

Materials

Steel

Pullman Step Stool
Pullman Step Stool
H 10.5 in W 20 in D 18.25 in
Pair of Chrome "X" Base Benches or Stools
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chrome "X" Base Benches in the style of Paul McCobb circa 1970s. This pair has been recently upholstered as shown and still retains original tag to underside.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Ritz-Carlton Brushed Steel Ottoman
Located in Wilton, CT
A vintage brushed steel ottoman pair from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in NYC. Custom upholstered in a quality creme velvet.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Ritz-Carlton Brushed Steel Ottoman
Ritz-Carlton Brushed Steel Ottoman
H 19 in W 22 in D 18 in
Barcelona Stool By Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Utrecht, NL
Barcelona Stool by Ludwig Mies v.d. Rohe for Knoll, originally designed in 1929 for the German Pavilion, that country's entry for the International Exposition of 1929, which was host...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Barcelona Stool By Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll
Barcelona Stool By Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll
H 15.36 in W 23.23 in D 23.23 in
Pair of Mid-Century Style Ottomans with Faux Wool
Located in Wilton, CT
Pair of mid-century style ottomans with faux Mongolian lambs wool upholstery.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Steel & Leather X-Base Stools
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of Contemporary X-Base Steel Stools. Handcrafted in Maine, covered in supple cognac covered leather. Can be ordered in other colors / fabrics or COM.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Steel & Leather X-Base Stools
Steel & Leather X-Base Stools
H 19.5 in W 16 in D 19 in
Quartet
By Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four Stools, Cow Hide Cushions with Steel gun metal patina legs. The stools can be grouped together to make an ottoman, bench or separate stools. Sold as a set of four only. each st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Stools

Materials

Steel

Quartet
Quartet
H 19 in W 36 in D 36 in
Pair of Vienne Stools
By Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two stools from the Bourgeois Boheme Atelier Collection. Steel Gun Metal patina, with Ostrich Leather cushion. (Stools are in 1STDIBS@NYDC Showroom, NYC.)
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools

Materials

Steel

Pair of Vienne Stools
Pair of Vienne Stools
H 19 in W 25 in D 20 in
Streamlined Moderne/Art Deco Chromed Ottoman Stool by Rohde
Located in San Francisco, CA
I purchased this stool with two extraordinary lounging chromed armchairs which were (documented) Gilbert Rohde-designed and hence my attribution (I don't have documentation that it's...
Category

20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Charles Eames 671 Lounge Chair Ottoman Herman Miller
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic Charles Eames for Herman Miller ottoman (671). Black leather and rosewood shell.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Pillow Footstool in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Group of pillows on a steel Louis XV Style base. In the manner of Maison Jansen. Pillows are all attached together and are removable.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Stools

Materials

Steel

Pair of Chromed Steel X-Base Benches after Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
A pair of chromed steel x-base benches with integral handle like ends for easy moving and sling upholstered seats in the original fabric. After Milo Baughman. American, circa 1970.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Footstools

Materials

Chrome, Steel

A Set of Four Leather Ottomans by YRJO KUKAPURRO
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of four chromed steel and leather square shaped, upholstered ottomans, which can be configured in any way-bench, seating area, separately, etc...Note the rounded profile...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Footstools

Materials

Chrome, Steel

"Vienne" Ostrich Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ostrich Leather Stool on Polished Steel Base
Can be sold separately
$1900/each
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools

Materials

Steel

"Vienne" Ostrich Stool
"Vienne" Ostrich Stool
H 16 in W 19 in D 14 in
"Vienne" Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mohair Uphostery on Siver Leafed Steel Legs
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools

Materials

Steel

"Vienne" Stool
"Vienne" Stool
H 16 in W 19 in D 14 in
Pair Poufs
Located in Southampton, NY
Delightful pair chrome base ottomans or stools on casters.
Category

Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Pair Poufs
Pair Poufs
H 20 in W 24 in D 24 in
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American Steel Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of american steel footstools available for sale. There are all kinds of american steel footstools available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco and Hollywood Regency american steel footstools are consistently popular styles. Some american steel footstools are too large for some spaces — a variety of smaller american steel footstools, measuring 10 inches across, are available at 1stDibs. Knoll, Warren Platner and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe each produced beautiful american steel footstools that are worth considering.

How Much are American Steel Footstools?

American steel footstools can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $2,800, while the lowest priced sells for $495 and the highest can go for as much as $11,700.

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.