Footstools
20th Century European Country Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Rattan
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Textile, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Late 17th Century English Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wicker
2010s British Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1970s English Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Balkan Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood, Ash, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Indian Romantic Footstools
Brass
2010s Italian Footstools
Textile
Late 20th Century English Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Oak, Leather
20th Century English Queen Anne Footstools
Walnut
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Ash
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century English Egyptian Revival Footstools
Maple
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cotton, Linen, Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Plastic
19th Century Irish Antique Footstools
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
1950s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
1970s Unknown Rancho Monterey Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
Early 1900s Gothic Antique Footstools
Oak
2010s Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Zebra Hide, Wood
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Footstools
Bamboo
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Papercord, Teak
19th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s American Modern Footstools
Leather, Maple
Early 20th Century 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.