Footstools
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century American Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Wood, Ebony, Velvet
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Textile, Walnut
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut, Beech, Fabric, Chenille
2010s American Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Leather
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Teak
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Footstools
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Marble
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Renaissance Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Oak
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Footstools
Steel
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
2010s American Modern Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s South American Minimalist Footstools
Bentwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rope, Wood
1880s French Regency Revival Antique Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Fabric, Linen, Walnut
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rush, Beech
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Walnut, Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool, Faux Leather
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 19th Century American Antique Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Other Footstools
Leather
1990s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Naugahyde, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Primitive Footstools
Hardwood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century American Queen Anne Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Ecuadorean Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
1970s French Vintage Footstools
Textile, Wood
Early 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
1930s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rattan
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.