Footstools
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Zebra Hide
19th Century Unknown Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
19th Century Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Footstools
Wool
1930s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
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
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Footstools
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Footstools
Leather
1950s American Vintage Footstools
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Footstools
Iron
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
1980s South American Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Beech
Late 18th Century Unknown Primitive Antique Footstools
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1920s Scandinavian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Glass
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
2010s Footstools
Travertine
Early 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1880s English Antique Footstools
Brass
2010s American Footstools
Oak
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
Early 20th Century Country Footstools
Cord, Rope, Walnut
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
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.