Footstools
20th Century French Footstools
Pine, Giltwood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Beech
19th Century British Antique Footstools
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Cowhide, Leather
1960s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s German Modern Footstools
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Footstools
Oak
2010s American Modern Footstools
Cotton, Velvet, Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Footstools
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Wood
1960s Vintage Footstools
Brass
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Paint
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
1860s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1980s North American Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
1780s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Oak
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Chrome
1740s French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Walnut, Leather, Oak
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Lambskin, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1930s French Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Footstools
Wood
2010s English Regency Footstools
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s French Antique Footstools
Beech
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
19th Century British Victorian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Teak
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Beech
2010s European Other Footstools
Wood
1940s French Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
2010s British Footstools
Hardwood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Wood
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Beech
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
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.