Footstools
1910s English Adam Style Vintage Footstools
Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Walnut, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1950s French Regency Revival Vintage Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
19th Century Georgian Antique Footstools
Walnut
1960s American Bauhaus Vintage Footstools
Stainless Steel
Mid-19th Century English William and Mary Antique Footstools
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Beech
20th Century Georgian Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
1880s Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Pine
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century British Antique Footstools
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Giltwood
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1940s French Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
Late 19th Century Gothic Antique Footstools
Oak
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Rattan
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Brass
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s American Baroque Footstools
Wood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Footstools
Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century African Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century French Antique Footstools
Wood, Walnut
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
Early 20th Century American George III Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Footstools
Walnut, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
1960s Italian Vintage Footstools
Other
1880s Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Beech
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Footstools
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
20th Century Belgian Louis XVI Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Organic Modern Footstools
Metal
2010s Swedish Footstools
Sheepskin, Beech
1960s Italian Vintage Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Footstools
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Fur
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.





