Footstools
20th Century British Georgian Footstools
Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Teak
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Birch
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Footstools
Leather
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Bentwood
20th Century American Footstools
Cowhide, Hide
1980s Vintage Footstools
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
1880s Antique Footstools
Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather, Teak
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Gold, Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century European Dutch Colonial Footstools
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wool, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
2010s American Modern Footstools
Linen
1720s English George I Antique Footstools
Walnut
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
Mid-18th Century Irish George II Antique Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century American Regency Footstools
Wood
19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Paint, Wood, Linen
1950s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Animal Skin, Wood
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Footstools
Wood
1950s French Space Age Vintage Footstools
Iron
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Oak, Leather
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Iron
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-19th Century Welsh Folk Art Antique 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.