Footstools
1970s North American American Empire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
20th Century Asian Rustic Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Cherry
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wool, Velvet, Beech
1970s English Vintage Footstools
Wood, Paint, Leather
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Early 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
1860s British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Textile, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Footstools
Oak, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
2010s American Footstools
Fur, Wood
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Mahogany
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century English Queen Anne Footstools
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Beech
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Footstools
Beech
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Footstools
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hide
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Rustic Footstools
Brass
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Silk, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Ceramic, Tapestry, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Wood
1940s Swedish Vintage Footstools
Cherry
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Teak
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Lambskin, Wool, Oak
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Beech
1950s Italian Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Fruitwood
19th Century Louis XIV Antique Footstools
Tapestry, Walnut
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.





