Footstools
1890s Dutch Black Forest Antique Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Walnut, Paint
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
20th Century Asian Rustic Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
1890s Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rattan
20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Wood
Late 20th Century Indonesian Organic Modern Footstools
Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Chrome
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather, Plastic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Straw, Rush, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Footstools
Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Pine
Mid-18th Century French Antique Footstools
Giltwood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s English Bohemian Vintage Footstools
Bamboo
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Wood
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Early 2000s European Art Deco Footstools
Stainless Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
2010s Renaissance Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Leather, Sheepskin
1940s Swedish Vintage Footstools
Cherry
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Fabric
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Plywood
1960s Unknown Directoire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1990s American Post-Modern Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American George III Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Late 20th Century African Footstools
Wood
2010s French Footstools
Alabaster, Bronze
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Mohair, Oak
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Maple
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.