Footstools
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Walnut, Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Footstools
Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1850s European Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Oak
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
19th Century Georgian Antique Footstools
Walnut
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Footstools
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Footstools
Oak, Walnut
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
1980s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Lambskin, Sheepskin, Beech
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rush, Beech
20th Century American Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Pine
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Cotton, Teak
19th Century English Antique Footstools
Rosewood
1980s Vintage Footstools
Steel
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1940s French Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Footstools
Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century American Queen Anne Footstools
Leather
19th Century English Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Lucite
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
2010s American Art Deco Footstools
Oak, Upholstery, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, 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.