Footstools
Late 19th Century American Colonial Antique Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Chenille, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Wool, Oak
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Velvet, Wood
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century Empire Revival Antique Footstools
Linen, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Uzbek Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Glass
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Beech, Jacquard
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
2010s English Victorian Footstools
Linen, Oak
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Stainless Steel
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Footstools
Wool, Hardwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Beech
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1890s American Chinoiserie Antique Footstools
Giltwood
2010s Australian Industrial Footstools
Sheepskin
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Rustic Footstools
Brass
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
18th Century French Antique Footstools
Wood, Walnut
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood, Sheepskin
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Fruitwood
1860s British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Textile, Mahogany
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
1940s French Vintage Footstools
Wood, Rush
1970s North American American Empire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century Asian Rustic Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet, Beech, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
Late 20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Footstools
Iron
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Rubber, Oak
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Antique and Vintage Footstools
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.










