Footstools
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Rush, Rope, Wood
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1890s English Chippendale Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1960s American Modern Vintage Footstools
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Revival Footstools
Metal
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Footstools
Oak, Leather
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Cotton, Upholstery, Oak
19th Century American Antique Footstools
Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
2010s Australian Industrial Footstools
Sheepskin
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
19th Century American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Walnut, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Pine
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Walnut
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
1950s Italian Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1980s Bohemian Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Regency Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
2010s Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Plywood
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Animal Skin, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Oak
1990s Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1850s European Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
1880s English Antique Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Steel
20th Century British Georgian Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century English Egyptian Revival Footstools
Maple
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1990s Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Metal
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.