Biedermeier Footstool
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Stools
Oak, Walnut
Antique 1890s Dutch Black Forest Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century British High Victorian Benches
Beech, Leather
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Vintage 1940s Italian Console Tables
Walnut
Antique 1880s British Aesthetic Movement Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Gothic Stools
Oak
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Dining Room Tables
Wood
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables
Marble, Aluminum, Brass, Gold
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Welsh Stools
Ash
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Benches
Upholstery, Pine
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Pine
Early 20th Century English Gothic Doors and Gates
Wood, Oak
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Benches
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Armchairs
Upholstery, Oak
Antique 1880s Chinese Qing Stools
Poplar
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Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Footstools
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Footstools
Cherry
Vintage 1910s Swedish Biedermeier Footstools
Birch
Antique 19th Century Danish Footstools
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Footstools
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique Early 1900s German Biedermeier Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Foam, Walnut, Lacquer
Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Footstools
Fabric, Beech
Antique 19th Century French Biedermeier Stools
Muslin, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century European Biedermeier Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Austrian Footstools
Antique 1820s French Biedermeier Footstools
Brass
Vintage 1940s French Biedermeier Footstools
Birch
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Footstools
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Footstools
Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Footstools
Maple
Antique 19th Century Footstools
Wood
20th Century Footstools
Fruitwood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Swedish Footstools
Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Stools
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Sofas
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.
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