Footstools
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cherry, Velvet
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Oak, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Plastic, Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Modern Footstools
Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Macedonian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wicker, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
19th Century French Aubusson Antique Footstools
Wood, Fabric
1980s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Brass
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1880s Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Pine
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam, Polyester, Birch
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century Indonesian Organic Modern Footstools
Wood, Teak
1780s English George II Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
1990s Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1940s English Victorian Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
18th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Iron
1980s Vintage Footstools
Steel
1860s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
1930s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Beech
1780s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century George II Antique Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
1980s Italian Baroque Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric, Foam, Polyester, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Mexican Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Silk
Early 20th Century Jacobean Footstools
Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather
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.