Footstools
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
20th Century English Kilim Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1840s French Aubusson Antique Footstools
Fabric, Tapestry, Wool, Wood, Nutwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Shaker Footstools
Rush, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Footstools
Leather, Walnut
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut, Beech, Fabric, Chenille
Early 20th Century Regency Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century French Modern Footstools
Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century British Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Fabric
Early 1900s British Antique Footstools
Rope, Oak
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Late 19th Century Antique Footstools
Pottery, Walnut
1890s American High Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Footstools
Bamboo
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Footstools
Wood
20th Century European Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet
1920s Vintage Footstools
Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Other Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
19th Century Classical Roman Antique Footstools
Cotton, Wood
19th Century Indian Antique Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
2010s American Modern Footstools
Bronze, Nickel
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Bentwood
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
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.