Footstools
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather, Teak
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wool, Teak
2010s Renaissance Footstools
Mahogany
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s American Modern Vintage Footstools
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
1920s Dutch Modern Vintage Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
19th Century Antique Footstools
Walnut, Velvet, Hardwood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Oak, Rope
Late 20th Century Footstools
Textile, Wood
1980s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century French Footstools
Textile, Acrylic
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Papercord, Teak
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Mohair, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century English Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Queen Anne Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 1900s Gothic Antique Footstools
Oak
1960s Unknown Directoire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
19th Century English William and Mary Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Zebra Hide, Wood
19th Century Irish Antique Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Teak
1890s Dutch Black Forest Antique Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Footstools
Wood, Bentwood
20th Century British Georgian Footstools
Leather
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.