Footstools
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
20th Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Aluminum
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Australian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Footstools
Metal
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary European Footstools
Concrete
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century French Provincial Footstools
Leather
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Footstools
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
20th Century New Zealand Modern Footstools
Aluminum
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Australian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Steel
1990s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
1980s American Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Foam
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Footstools
Steel
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Paint
2010s American Modern Footstools
Linen
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1990s Unknown Hollywood Regency Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Lucite
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
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.