Footstools
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Turkish Moorish Footstools
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Fabric
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
1980s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Fur
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century English Other Footstools
Leather
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool, Faux Leather
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Twine, Chestnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
1990s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Naugahyde, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Rattan, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1960s American Modern Vintage Footstools
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Teak
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Cotton, Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wool, Velvet, Beech
20th Century English Kilim Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Walnut, Leather
1920s Vintage Footstools
Wool, Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic
20th Century American Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Beech
20th Century European Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Wood
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
1930s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Beech
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
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.