Footstools
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1920s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Birch
Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Oak
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
1920s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Oak
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Footstools
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Walnut
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
18th Century and Earlier Italian Louis XIII Antique Footstools
Wood
Early 20th Century Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Nickel
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Burlap, Wood, Walnut
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Teak
20th Century Arts and Crafts Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Cherry
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Cherry
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Oak
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Brazilian Arts and Crafts Footstools
Straw, Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak, Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Velvet, Oak
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.