Footstools
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Walnut
2010s American Modern Footstools
Fur
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Oak
2010s English Victorian Footstools
Linen, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1980s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Wood
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Nickel
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1930s American Country Vintage Footstools
Textile, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1890s American Chinoiserie Antique Footstools
Giltwood
1920s Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s South American Minimalist Footstools
Bentwood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
Early 20th Century American Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Country Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Footstools
Pottery, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Footstools
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Footstools
Steel
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Cotton
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Foam
1880s Swedish Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Ash
1890s Antique Footstools
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Wood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Other
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wool, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Cherry
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Teak
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Fur, Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Metal
1970s French Directoire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Georgian Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
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.