Footstools
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Walnut
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
19th Century English Regency Antique Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Leather, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Modern Footstools
Oak
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Modern Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Animal Skin, Cotton
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Early 20th Century American George III Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Brass
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Lambskin, Sheepskin, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Mahogany
20th Century American Regency Footstools
Wood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1890s English Antique Footstools
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Footstools
Travertine
1960s French Regency Vintage Footstools
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Pine
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Rush, Rope, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Footstools
Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Wood, Paint
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
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.