Footstools
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rope, Wood
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
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Fabric, Beech
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
1950s American Vintage Footstools
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Wool, Oak
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Footstools
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1970s Unknown Directoire Vintage Footstools
Metal
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Hardwood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak, Rope
1910s Swedish Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Organic Modern Footstools
Metal
Late 20th Century French Provincial Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Organic Modern Footstools
Metal
1890s English Chippendale Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Walnut, Paint
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Early 2000s Unknown Regency Revival Footstools
Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Sheepskin
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Velvet, Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Ebony, Wood
Late 20th Century European Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam
2010s European Other Footstools
Wood
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cut Steel
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
2010s Footstools
Travertine
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.