Footstools
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Faux Leather, Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Revival Footstools
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Iron, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century Footstools
Iron
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Suede, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s American Post-Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Maple
Early 2000s Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Italian Footstools
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Fabric, Beech
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1970s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
20th Century African Footstools
Mother-of-Pearl, Rope, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam
1920s Dutch Modern Vintage Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
2010s Portuguese Footstools
Marble
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel, Chrome
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1720s French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet
Late 20th Century Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Footstools
Fabric
1970s French Vintage Footstools
Fabric
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Linen
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Footstools
Fabric, Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
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.