Footstools
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Revival Footstools
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Katalox, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Leather
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
Mid-19th Century English William and Mary Antique Footstools
Leather, Walnut
1880s Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fur, Oak, Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Leather, Maple
2010s American Baroque Footstools
Wood
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Footstools
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Beech
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
1960s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Oak, Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Naugahyde
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Cherry
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Brass
2010s North American Footstools
Brass, Metallic Thread
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Giltwood, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Footstools
Oak, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Footstools
Travertine
19th Century Irish Antique Footstools
Brass
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin
1950s Italian Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Fruitwood
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Burlap, Oak
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Footstools
Birch
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
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.