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