Footstools
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Leather, Maple
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Wood
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Beech
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Fabric
19th Century Mid-Century Modern Antique Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Art Glass
1960s English Other Vintage Footstools
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel, Chrome
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
1860s British British Colonial Antique Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century American Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Twine, Chestnut
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Footstools
Leather
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Upholstery
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Birch
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Footstools
Wool, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Beech
1970s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
Mid-19th Century French Antique Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Naugahyde
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather, Teak
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
1880s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Wood, Oak
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.