Footstools
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet, Beech, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Oak, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s Australian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1780s English George II Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather, Birch, Polyester, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Wood, Ebony, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
1890s American Antique Footstools
Velvet, Rattan, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather, Birch, Polyester, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Linen
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Ash
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather, Birch, Polyester, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fur, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Brass
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
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.