Footstools
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Burlap, Oak
20th Century Asian Rustic Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rattan
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Upholstery, Fruitwood
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Wool
1930s French Empire Revival Vintage Footstools
Bronze
Early 20th Century Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Teak
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
20th Century Indian Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cane, Teak
1940s Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
1960s Chinese Vintage Footstools
Pottery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Steel
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Cane, Walnut
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Iron
1970s French Vintage Footstools
Textile, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Mahogany
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Footstools
Rattan
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Wood
1920s Ethiopian Vintage Footstools
Wood
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.