Footstools
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Aluminum
1960s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood, Cowhide
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Footstools
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Beech, Bentwood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
1880s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Late 20th Century Footstools
Cotton
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
Late 20th Century Dutch Footstools
Leather, Sheepskin, Pine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Nickel
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Wood
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Wood, Oak
1780s English George II Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Footstools
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood
2010s American Post-Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Suede, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Footstools
Iron
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Paint
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Art Glass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Lucite
2010s American Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Leather
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s French Modern Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools
Limestone
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 2000s Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Steel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
20th Century English Country Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Iron
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
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.