Footstools
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Italian Footstools
Leather
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
1950s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Glass
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rope, Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Beech
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
1950s American Vintage Footstools
Bronze
2010s South American Minimalist Footstools
Bentwood
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
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
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 English Chippendale Footstools
Wood
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
1980s South American Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
20th Century English Country Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Animal Skin, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Walnut
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood, Walnut
20th Century English Kilim Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century American Organic Modern Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Fabric, Beech
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
Late 18th Century Unknown Primitive Antique Footstools
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1920s Scandinavian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Birch
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak
Early 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Footstools
Leather, Walnut
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.