Footstools
Early 20th Century Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Mohair, Velvet
1970s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
20th Century British Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Brass
1850s European Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Louis XIV Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
1910s American Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool
1820s American Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Iron
1880s English Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Footstools
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Modern Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Beech, Wool
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
1910s American Vintage Footstools
Wool, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Fur, Fiberglass, Foam
19th Century Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Velvet
19th Century Italian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo, Rattan, Polyester
Late 20th Century American Rustic Footstools
Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
1980s North American Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
20th Century English Country Footstools
Leather
1910s Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Footstools
Wool, Foam, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Bouclé, Velvet
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s British Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Lambskin, Sheepskin, Beech
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Footstools
Wood, Bentwood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Footstools
Wool, Upholstery, Mahogany
1870s French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Gold Leaf
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
2010s Danish Post-Modern Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Straw, Rush, Wood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Danish Post-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.