Footstools
1890s French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Fruitwood, Paint
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
1890s American High Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s British Modern Footstools
Nylon
1980s North American Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s English Kilim Vintage Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Footstools
Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Hide, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Rustic Footstools
Steel
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Teak
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
1980s North American Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century British Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo, Rattan, Polyester
1810s English Regency Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century Indian Romantic Footstools
Brass
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Iron
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Straw, Rush, Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Modern Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Footstools
Fabric
Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Oak
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Teak
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Footstools
Wool, Foam, Wood
2010s British Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Composition
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1920s American Vintage Footstools
Silk, Wood, Cotton
Early 20th Century Ghanaian Primitive Footstools
Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
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.