Footstools
1820s French Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1870s French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Hide, Walnut
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo, Rattan
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Footstools
Pine
20th Century European Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Oak
20th Century Unknown Footstools
Brass, Bronze
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
Early 20th Century Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
1920s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
1810s English Regency Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Early 1900s European Louis XV Antique Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Organic Modern Footstools
Leather
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Lambskin, Sheepskin, Beech
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Organic Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Walnut
2010s Mexican Bauhaus Footstools
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
2010s Thai Post-Modern Footstools
Brass
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Giltwood
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
Mid-20th Century Italian Footstools
Wrought Iron
1750s Italian Rococo Antique Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo
Early 19th Century English Antique Footstools
Brass
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
Late 20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Footstools
Iron
1970s Unknown Rancho Monterey Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
20th Century American Country Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s French Modern Footstools
Metal
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Modern Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cotton, Linen, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Cotton
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Ceramic, Tapestry, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Teak
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.