Footstools
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Cherry
1930s French Empire Revival Vintage Footstools
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Classical Roman Antique Footstools
Cotton, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Modern Footstools
Ash
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Mohair, Velvet
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Mid-19th Century English William and Mary Antique Footstools
Leather, Walnut
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s American Footstools
Fur, Wood
20th Century American Footstools
Cotton, Wood
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Steel, Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Paint, Wood, Linen
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Cherry
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1990s Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Early 2000s European Art Deco Footstools
Stainless Steel
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Footstools
Birch
1960s Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fur, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Footstools
Leather
Mid-19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1980s Vintage Footstools
Steel
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Gold, Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1910s American Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1970s Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Cane, Walnut
1780s Italian Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Walnut
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.