Footstools
1890s English Antique Footstools
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Naugahyde, Oak
1880s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1960s Vintage Footstools
Leather
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Iron
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Plastic, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Cherry
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Modern Footstools
Steel
1990s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Naugahyde, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Modern Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Rush, Rope, Wood
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Rustic Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
2010s Modern Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Primitive Footstools
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Upholstery, Fruitwood
20th Century American Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Elizabethan Antique Footstools
Oak
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Cane, Walnut
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, Beech
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Mahogany
2010s Swedish Footstools
Sheepskin, Beech
19th Century British Antique Footstools
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1930s French Empire Revival Vintage Footstools
Bronze
18th Century French Aubusson Antique Footstools
Tapestry, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Footstools
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century Indian Footstools
Cotton, Silk, 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.