Footstools
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel, Nickel
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Glass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Linen
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Zebra Hide
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Resin, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Teak
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wool, Beech
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Oak, Rope
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Textile, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Wool, Mohair, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Beech
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak, Cane
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Fabric
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wool, Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Velvet, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Sheepskin
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
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.