Footstools
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
19th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Giltwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Philippine Modern Footstools
Rattan, Foam, Maple
2010s Philippine Modern Footstools
Steel, Stainless Steel
1950s French Space Age Vintage Footstools
Iron
1940s American Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Footstools
Iron
Mid-19th Century British Chinese Chippendale Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Danish Space Age Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Iron
2010s Philippine Modern Footstools
Aluminum
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
19th Century American Adirondack Antique Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Oak
1910s Japanese Primitive Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century French French Provincial Footstools
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, Oak
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, Oak
1860s French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany, Paint
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Iron, Metal
2010s French Modern Footstools
Cedar
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
2010s Philippine Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, Oak
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, Oak
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, Oak
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Wood, Beech
19th Century Gothic Antique Footstools
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Cane, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wool, Walnut
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Steel, Brass
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Cherry
1960s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood, Cowhide
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Footstools
Wood
1880s Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Beech
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, Oak
2010s Danish Modern Footstools
Textile, 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.