Petite Footstools
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Adirondack Footstools
Sheepskin, Antler
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
20th Century Belgian Louis XVI Footstools
Brass
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Footstools
Fabric, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Footstools
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Footstools
Silk, Cane, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Footstools
Wood
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Stools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Feathers
20th Century American French Provincial Stools
Fabric, Giltwood
Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
People Also Browsed
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
20th Century English Gothic Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Daybeds
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Longues
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Side Tables
Travertine
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
2010s English Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
Antique 19th Century Stools
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Bed Coronas
Wood, Rope
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
20th Century American Victorian Taxidermy
Feathers, Wood
Mid-20th Century Country Ottomans and Poufs
Maple
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Footstools
Tapestry, Wood
20th Century North American Federal Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Footstools
Faux Bamboo, Upholstery
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Footstools
Brass
20th Century North American Victorian Footstools
Iron
20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Regency Footstools
Early 20th Century Chippendale Footstools
Wood, Burlap
Antique Late 19th Century French Footstools
Wood
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Footstools
Walnut
Vintage 1930s English Jacobean Footstools
Oak
Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Footstools
Wood, Horn
Vintage 1950s Tanzanian Footstools
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Footstools
Wood
20th Century Victorian Stools
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Stools
20th Century Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century American Empire Stools
Mahogany, Fabric
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Scottish Stools
Mahogany, Wool
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Stools
Velvet, Mahogany
20th Century English Country Footstools
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 19th Century North American Victorian Footstools
Wood, Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century French Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Footstools
Faux Bamboo
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Footstools
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Wood
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Wood
Antique 19th Century Japanese Footstools
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Footstools
Elm
Antique Early 1900s Jacobean Footstools
Oak
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Benches
Mohair, Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Wood
Early 20th Century English Renaissance Stools
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Slipper Chairs
Faux Fur, Sycamore
Vintage 1940s American Footstools
Wood, Leather
Antique 19th Century French Stools
Wood
Vintage 1970s Footstools
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Wood, Zebra Hide
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Wood
Vintage 1970s Footstools
20th Century French Footstools
Antique 19th Century Belgian Footstools
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Vintage 1950s French Footstools
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s French Footstools
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s American Footstools
20th Century American Stools
Wood, Fabric
Petite Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Petite 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.