Footstools
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Metal
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Footstools
Leather, Walnut
1830s American Art Deco Antique Footstools
Nickel
1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
Early 19th Century American Country Antique Footstools
Hardwood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese International Style Footstools
Brass
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Chrome
18th Century and Earlier Swedish Antique Footstools
Wood
1980s English Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Italian Footstools
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Silver, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Oak, Sheepskin
Late 20th Century Spanish Footstools
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Silver, Silver Leaf
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-19th Century British Other Antique Footstools
Natural Fiber, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Gothic Antique Footstools
Oak
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
Late 20th Century Spanish Footstools
Bamboo, Wicker
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Nutwood
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Footstools
Walnut
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Footstools
Cedar
2010s French Modern Footstools
Metal
18th Century English Antique Footstools
Wood
Late 20th Century Footstools
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Chrome
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Elm
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Oak
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Aluminum
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Oak
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Chrome
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal, Gold Plate
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
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.