Footstools
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal, Gold Plate
2010s Thai Post-Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Philippine Modern Footstools
Aluminum
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s French Post-Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Elm
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Footstools
Copper
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Teak
18th Century English Antique Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Wood
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
2010s Footstools
Velvet
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak, Lacquer
20th Century British Footstools
Fabric
1850s European Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
Mid-19th Century British Other Antique Footstools
Natural Fiber, Mahogany
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese International Style Footstools
Brass
1930s French Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
1950s Danish Space Age Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Metal
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Steel
Late 20th Century Footstools
Textile, Wood
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Finnish Modern Footstools
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
2010s German Modern Footstools
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Footstools
Brass
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Wood
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
20th Century English Country Footstools
Upholstery, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Wood
1930s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
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.