Footstools
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Bohemian Footstools
Wool, Wood
2010s South American Minimalist Footstools
Bentwood
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
2010s Footstools
Travertine
2010s American Footstools
Oak
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s French Footstools
Alabaster, Bronze
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Organic Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Italian Minimalist Footstools
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Organic Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
2010s North American Modern Footstools
Wood, Leather
2010s Philippine Footstools
Wood, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Ash
2010s Philippine Footstools
Wood, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Ebony, Wood
2010s Philippine Footstools
Wood, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, Beech
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Gold Plate, Brass
2010s Italian Organic Modern Footstools
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Footstools
Wood
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.