Footstools
19th Century British Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Asian Footstools
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Footstools
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak
20th Century Victorian Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Textile, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
19th Century British Victorian Antique Footstools
Elm
1970s British Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Walnut, Leather
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
1950s Belgian Baroque Revival Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1910s American Vintage Footstools
Wool, Wood
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century French Art Deco Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
2010s American Modern Footstools
Metal
20th Century American Footstools
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Footstools
Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Nickel, Brass
Mid-20th Century English Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Footstools
Metal
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Teak
Mid-20th Century Modern Footstools
Mahogany
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
1990s Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1920s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Twine, Chestnut
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Oak
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Footstools
Giltwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
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.