Footstools
19th Century Unknown Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
19th Century Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Footstools
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
1930s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Bohemian Footstools
Wool, Wood
2010s South American Minimalist Footstools
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Zebra Hide
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Ebony, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1930s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
2010s Footstools
Travertine
2010s American Footstools
Oak
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1980s South American Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
20th Century African Footstools
Mother-of-Pearl, Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Footstools
Iron
Early 20th Century Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery
1970s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
1980s Unknown Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1880s English Antique Footstools
Brass
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather, Oak
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Walnut, Paint
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Wool, Oak
2010s French Footstools
Alabaster, Bronze
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Teak
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
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.