Footstools
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century Jacobean Antique Footstools
Walnut
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Rubber, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Walnut
1950s English Bohemian Vintage Footstools
Bamboo
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century Asian Rustic Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
Early 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
20th Century Belgian Louis XVI Footstools
Brass
20th Century English Country Footstools
Leather
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century Indian Antique Footstools
Teak, Paint
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rosewood
19th Century Indian Antique Footstools
Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century English Country Footstools
Leather
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Cane, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Footstools
Calico, Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1980s Vintage Footstools
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Giltwood, Paint
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Islamic Footstools
Wood
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Rattan
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1920s English Jacobean Vintage Footstools
Oak
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan, Wood
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.