Footstools
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Silk
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Danish Bauhaus Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Footstools
Walnut
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
2010s Footstools
Fur, Sheepskin
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Gold Plate, Brass
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Leather
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Footstools
Leather, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Chesterfield Footstools
Leather
1960s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
20th Century French Neoclassical Footstools
Metal
1960s American Vintage Footstools
Brass
1950s American Other Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery
2010s French Footstools
Fabric
1960s Modern Vintage Footstools
Fiberglass
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Mahogany, Leather
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Plastic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Foam
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Footstools
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
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.