Footstools
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Elm
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Elm
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wool, Rosewood
1960s French Campaign Vintage Footstools
Oak
20th Century British Victorian Footstools
Leather
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Iron
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Trimming
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
Late 19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Footstools
Oak
19th Century British Antique Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools
Wood, Elm
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
1940s Vintage Footstools
Naugahyde, Rattan
Late 20th Century African Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Victorian Footstools
Wicker
1940s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century European Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Steel
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Footstools
Oak
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Iron
1880s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Oak
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
1980s Bohemian Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
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.