Footstools
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
1950s Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Ash
Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Footstools
Calico, Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Australian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
2010s Philippine Modern Footstools
Steel
1720s English George I Antique Footstools
Walnut
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s French Modern Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Chrome
1970s British Vintage Footstools
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Foam
20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Velvet, Oak
2010s Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Cork
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
1810s English Regency Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1830s American Art Deco Antique Footstools
Nickel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Footstools
Wool, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Footstools
Upholstery, Giltwood
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Footstools
Hardwood
20th Century British Footstools
Leather
19th Century English Antique Footstools
Rosewood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak, Wool
1860s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Iron
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Other
20th Century Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1950s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century Footstools
Iron
1980s English Vintage Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Footstools
Wool, Felt
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Composition
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Footstools
Mahogany
19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Footstools
Oak
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
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.