Footstools
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Footstools
Wicker, Cane, Wood, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century English Kilim Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Cane, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Early 19th Century American Antique Footstools
Brass
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-19th Century British Chinese Chippendale Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Leather
1930s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Beech
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Plastic
1860s British British Colonial Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1990s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Naugahyde, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
1880s Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Beech
2010s Footstools
Travertine
1980s Vintage Footstools
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1820s English Regency Antique Footstools
Wool, Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Iron
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
20th Century Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
19th Century Indian Antique Footstools
Wood
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Footstools
Birch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Lucite
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Brass, Nickel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Late 20th Century British Campaign Footstools
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Swedish Footstools
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, Beech
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Beech, Jacquard
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
Mid-19th Century British Queen Anne Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Mahogany
1980s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Leather
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool, Faux Leather
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, 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.