Footstools
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
2010s American Modern Footstools
Bronze, Nickel
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
1880s Swedish Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Ash
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Fur
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Brass, Nickel
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1890s Antique Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
1880s English Egyptian Revival Antique Footstools
Leather, Sycamore
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Footstools
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
2010s American Modern Footstools
Fur
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet
Early 19th Century American Antique Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Marble
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Teak
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, Beech
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Cotton
2010s South American Minimalist Footstools
Bentwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Walnut, Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Walnut
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.