Footstools
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
1990s European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
1980s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Ebony, Wood
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut, Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s American Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Iron
Early 20th Century French Provincial Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century English Gothic Revival Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut, Paint
2010s Italian Minimalist Footstools
Iron
2010s Italian Minimalist Footstools
Iron
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Oak, Sheepskin
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Brass
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Macedonian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wicker, Wood
20th Century American Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Footstools
Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Concrete
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Jacobean Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
20th Century Footstools
Elm
2010s American Footstools
Fur, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
20th Century American Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century Indonesian Organic Modern Footstools
Wood, Teak
19th Century American Adirondack Antique Footstools
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Metal
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
1980s Italian Baroque Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric, Foam, Polyester, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
2010s South African Footstools
Nickel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Country Footstools
Cherry
1880s French Regency Revival Antique Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Nickel
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.