Footstools
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools
Wood, Elm
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Fabric, Beech
1920s English Vintage Footstools
Rope, Oak
Early 19th Century American Country Antique Footstools
Hardwood
19th Century English Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Velvet
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
1920s Scandinavian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Birch
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Footstools
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century Country Footstools
Cord, Rope, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1880s English Antique Footstools
Brass
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery
1910s Swedish Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1890s English Chippendale Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Footstools
Rosewood
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools
Wood, Elm
19th Century Unknown Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
19th Century Irish Antique Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Footstools
Wood
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Footstools
Rope, Oak
19th Century Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
1890s French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Walnut
1840s French Aubusson Antique Footstools
Walnut, Nutwood, Wood, Wool, Tapestry, Fabric
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Footstools
Gold, Brass
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Late 19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Antique Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century British Queen Anne Antique Footstools
Wood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Footstools
Oak
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Footstools
Oak
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
1880s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Oak
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Rubber, Oak
19th Century Jacobean Antique Footstools
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Cane, Wood
19th Century Indian Antique Footstools
Teak, Paint
Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Footstools
Calico, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
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.