Footstools
Early 20th Century Regency Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Zebra Hide, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Foam, Fabric, Plywood
20th Century Indian Romantic Footstools
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Cane, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Footstools
Lucite
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Walnut
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th Century British Regency Antique Footstools
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
20th Century Pakistani Other Footstools
Brass
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Early 2000s Unknown Regency Revival Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Georgian Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1820s English Regency Antique Footstools
Wool, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Giltwood
1930s Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Wood, Paint
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
1990s North American Brutalist Footstools
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum, Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Oak
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
1890s Antique Footstools
Wood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Footstools
Fabric, Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1890s French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Turkish Moorish Footstools
Metal, Brass
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
20th Century European Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
1940s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1940s Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Cotton
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century English Industrial Footstools
Leather
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Fabric
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century American Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
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.