Footstools
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Footstools
Leather
Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Oak
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Footstools
Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Walnut, Fabric
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Birch
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century Georgian Antique Footstools
Walnut
1880s English Antique Footstools
Brass
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
1950s American Vintage Footstools
Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Suede, Wood
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century American Footstools
Cowhide, Hide
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Mid-19th Century Welsh Folk Art Antique Footstools
Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Mahogany
1950s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Footstools
Upholstery
19th Century Congolese Antique Footstools
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
18th Century French Aubusson Antique Footstools
Tapestry, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Suede
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Upholstery
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Teak
20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Modern Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Footstools
Oak
1970s Vintage Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Brass, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Bentwood
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Cotton
2010s North American Modern Footstools
Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Wrought Iron
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Late 19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Footstools
Oak
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Iron
2010s American Baroque Footstools
Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Philippine 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.