Footstools
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century American Organic Modern Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Fur, Fiberglass, Foam
2010s Footstools
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Italian Minimalist Footstools
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Footstools
Cotton, Bamboo, Rattan, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Plastic
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Walnut, Wood, Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Walnut, Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome, Metal
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome, Metal
20th Century French Footstools
Stone
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic, Lucite
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Wrought Iron
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1830s English William IV Antique Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery
1970s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal, Brass
1880s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Steel
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
2010s American Modern Footstools
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.