Footstools
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Steel
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Oak
1890s French Renaissance Antique Footstools
Oak
1820s English Regency Antique Footstools
Wool, Mahogany
18th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Footstools
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Early 1900s British Antique Footstools
Rope, Oak
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Footstools
Fabric, Cane, Oak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic
19th Century French Other Antique Footstools
Silk, Oak
Late 19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1920s Dutch Modern Vintage Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Bamboo
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Queen Anne Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1880s French Regency Revival Antique Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s French Directoire Vintage Footstools
Mahogany
1920s Vintage Footstools
Wool, Cotton, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Organic Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Cotton
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak, Leather, Cotton, Upholstery
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Beech
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Steel, Chrome
1920s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
19th Century Mid-Century Modern Antique Footstools
Walnut
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Steel
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Concrete
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Brass
1940s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1990s Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood
Mid-19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
20th Century American Footstools
Brass
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century English Country Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
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.