Footstools
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Cotton
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Cotton, Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
Late 19th Century English William and Mary Antique Footstools
Walnut
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Fabric
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Bentwood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Fur
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Oak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Footstools
Gesso, Wood, Paint
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Papercord, Teak
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Steel, Chrome
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood, Sheepskin
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Footstools
Wood
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Cherry
20th Century British Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hickory, Oak
20th Century Georgian Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
1880s Swedish Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Bamboo
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Marble
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Pine
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
1930s Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century British Footstools
Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Teak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Ceramic, Tapestry, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Wood
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
20th Century English Kilim Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s American Modern Footstools
Fur
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool, Faux Leather
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
1920s Vintage Footstools
Wool, Cotton, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fur, Oak, Fabric, 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.