Footstools
19th Century Antique Footstools
Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Beech
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1890s English Antique Footstools
Textile, Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, Beech
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Footstools
Brass
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
1980s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century English Georgian Footstools
Brass
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet
Early 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
1970s English Vintage Footstools
Wood, Paint, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Moroccan Primitive Antique Footstools
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
Early 1900s American Country Antique Footstools
Hardwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
1910s American Vintage Footstools
Wool, Wood
1970s American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Animal Skin, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cord, Rope, Wood
20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Footstools
Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Beech
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
Late 19th Century French Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Naugahyde, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Footstools
Wood
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hide
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Walnut
2010s English Victorian Footstools
Linen, Oak, Down, Feathers
20th Century English Queen Anne Footstools
Walnut
2010s English Victorian Footstools
Linen, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cane, Teak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
19th Century Rococo Antique Footstools
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
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.





