North American Velvet Footstools
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Nickel
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet
Vintage 1980s North American Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Chrome
Antique 1890s American Footstools
Velvet, Rattan, Wood
2010s American Post-Modern Footstools
Velvet, Poplar
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Walnut, Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Lucite, Velvet
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century Footstools
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Side Tables
Marble, Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Modern Stools
Brass, Steel
2010s African Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Travertine
2010s South African Minimalist Side Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands
Oak
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
Steel
Antique 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Revival Stools
Velvet, Walnut, Trimming, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Louis XVI Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1980s North American Modern Footstools
Velvet, Hardwood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Edwardian Footstools
Hardwood, Velvet
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Velvet, Oak
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Benches
Upholstery, Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Velvet, Burl
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1980s American Modern Benches
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Hardwood
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Benches
Cotton, Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Benches
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Benches
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Velvet
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Chairs
Chrome
Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Footstools
Lucite, Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Stools
Lucite, Velvet, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Stools
Chrome
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Velvet
Excellent...
Vintage 1950s American Footstools
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Footstools
Mahogany, Velvet, Cotton
Vintage 1940s American Footstools
Giltwood, Velvet
North American Velvet Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are North American Velvet Footstools?
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.