Footstools
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1970s North American American Empire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Footstools
Lucite
20th Century Indian Romantic Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Footstools
Fabric, Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Jacobean Footstools
Walnut
1960s Chinese Vintage Footstools
Pottery
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Mahogany
2010s American Footstools
Fur, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Late 19th Century Spanish Belle Époque Antique Footstools
Oak, Wood, Cane
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Beech
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Tapestry, Walnut
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
20th Century Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Footstools
Wool, Wood
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Textile, Walnut
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1890s French Belle Époque Antique Footstools
Wool, Wood, Walnut
2010s American Footstools
Oak
19th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
1890s American Chinoiserie Antique Footstools
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Modern Footstools
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Victorian Footstools
Wool
20th Century English Georgian Footstools
Brass
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1950s American American Classical Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Zebra Hide, 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.