Footstools
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1950s Danish Space Age Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
20th Century Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Iron
20th Century Footstools
Iron
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Steel, Brass
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Ceramic, Tapestry, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s European Other Footstools
Wood
1930s European Neoclassical Revival Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Footstools
Wood
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
2010s Italian Organic Modern Footstools
Plywood
2010s French Modern Footstools
Metal
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Revival Antique Footstools
Pine
1920s American Adirondack Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Iron
1970s Dutch Gothic Revival Vintage Footstools
Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather, Walnut
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Oak
1950s French Space Age Vintage Footstools
Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Revival Footstools
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chestnut, Upholstery, Twine
1890s Italian Antique Footstools
Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Footstools
Iron
Mid-18th Century French Antique Footstools
Giltwood
Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Footstools
Oak
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
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.