Footstools
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
20th Century American Queen Anne Footstools
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
20th Century American Footstools
Metal
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Animal Skin, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Plywood
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Chrome
1990s Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Metal
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Oak
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Leather
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century American George III Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Steel, Chrome
20th Century American Footstools
Brass
1980s Vintage Footstools
Steel
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Cherry
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Walnut
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Walnut, Paint
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Beech
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Brass
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
1960s Vintage Footstools
Wood
1980s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
1960s French Directoire Vintage Footstools
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Footstools
Bamboo
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Oak
1980s Vintage Footstools
Cotton
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Lambskin, Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Modern Footstools
Oak
1940s Swedish Vintage Footstools
Cherry
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, 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.