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Mid-Century Modern Footstools

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Rococo Style Carved Cabriole Leg Stool Ottoman, Footstool
Located in Vienna, AT
Upholstered stool with cabriole legs white/gold lacquered. Made by an unknown Austrian furniture maker, circa 1880. New upholstery on request free ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Walnut

Palladio Italy Baroque Style Rope and Tassel Gilt Iron Vanity Stool
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Baroque-style mid-century (circa 1950) Rope and Tassel vanity stool with a gilt iron frame and unattached purple pink and green plaid seat cushion. (Palladio, Italy).
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Metal

Pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Mid-Century Yellow Leather Saddle Ottoma
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century saddle ottomans with bright yellow leather upholstery. (PRICED AS PAIR)(Available in black upholstery: DUF0345)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Leather

Mid-Century Modern Bent Plywood Scoop Shape Chair & Ottoman on Dowel Legs Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern bent plywood scoop shape chair & ottoman on dowel legs Mint! Ottoman: 24 x 23 x 31, seat height: 14.5.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Set of Three Italian Brass Chiavari Round Stools
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely rare set of three round brass Chiavari stools, made in Italy, circa 1960. Four legs with flared tapered legs around an upper and lower brass ring. Fitted round seat upholst...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Poul Kjaerholm pk33 Stool
Located in London, GB
In original condition with nice patina to the leather Poul Kjaerholm pk33 for E. Kold Christensen. Denmark c1959
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Pair of Milo Baughman Mustard Yellow Leather Rolling Saddle Ottomans
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century rectangular saddle form ottomans with mustard yellow leather upholstery and scooped tops, resting on four concealed casters. (MILO BAUGHMAN)(PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Upholstery

1950s Italian Foot Stool with Solid Brass Tapered Legs
Located in Hanover, MA
Footstool or ottoman, Italian 1950s, in rectangular slightly kidney bean shape. Wood frame upholstered in dense foam and covered in its original wine colored cotton velvet, standing ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Set of Two 20th Century Green Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velvet green upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Saarinen Style Mid Century Tulip Stool
Located in Countryside, IL
Saarinen Style mid century Tulip stool This stool measures: 16.5 wide x 16.5 deep x 18 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Upholstery

Milo Baughman for Glenn of California Light Wooden Dowel Bench
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular 'dowel' bench with a light wood frame and a seat made of dowel slats. (MILO BAUGHMAN FOR GLENN OF CALIFORNIA)(Similar bench: DF0640) A few seat dowe...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood

Horse Hide Bench by Theodore Alexander
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Horse Hide Bench by Theodore Alexander Striking bench or footstool with a concave cushion upholstered in horse hide and bordered with brass tacks over hors...
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Hide

Madsen & Schubell Attr, Danish Modern, Organic Form Footstool, Shearling, 1960s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Madsen and Schubell Attr., Danish Mid-Century Modern, Footstool or Ottoman, Beige Sheepskin, Denmark 1960s A unique organic modern footstool or ottoman attributed to Madsen & Schube...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Sheepskin

Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Stools / Benches Attributed to Jansen
Located in New York, NY
A pair of elegant Mid-Century Louis XVI style foot stools / ottomans / poofs in the modern neoclassical tradition with tapered legs ending in solid bronze sabots and brass decoration...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

De Sede Mint Green Leather Patchwork Ottoman, 1970s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning mint green leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Handmade with wonderful light patina. Gorgeous accent piece. Good vintage condition with sof...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

De Sede Patchwork Leather Beanbag or Ottoman Switzerland 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern leather patchwork bean bag. A real amazing decorative and relaxing seat object for your leaving. Designed and manufactured De Sede, Switzerland, 1970s. T...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Foam

Danish Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern ottoman features hardwood legs and supple tufted leather upholstery. Comfortable and stylish addition to any seating arrangement perfect for use as a footstoo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Wood

De Sede Navy Leather Patchwork Ottoman, 1970s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely navy blue leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Handmade with wonderful faded patina. Gorgeous accent piece. G...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

Mid-Century Chrome Frame Upholstered Top Rocking Ottoman
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century square rocking ottoman with a bird and foliage beige, blue, and pink upholstered top cushion supported by a curved square chrome frame.  
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Set of Two Mid Century Scarabeo Blue Velvet Dedar Triangle Stools, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velour upholstery in blue color. Made in Italy - Dedar Company. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Stool With Legs Made In Teak & Black Leather Seat, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This stool, a fine example of Danish design from the 1960s, features a sleek combination of black leather and teak wood. The stool's elegant design reflects the mid-century modern ae...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Teak

Mid-Century Modern Mongolian Goat Fur Round Footstool, Italy, 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian footstool with solid wood structure upholstered in natural Mongolian black goat fur. Legs made of brass, Italy, 1950s. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Stunning Nos Liberty Style Omersa Brown Leather Pig Footstool Large and Medium
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime new old stock original Liberty’s London Omersa style brown leather hand dyed Pig footstool. This listing is for one medi...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

De Sede Stone Leather Patchwork Ottoman, 1970s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous stone colored leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Handmade with wonderful faded patina of varying hues of stone and accents of tan. Gorgeou...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

Warren Platner for Knoll Wire Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized steel wire ottoman in bouclé, designed by Warren Platner for his namesake Platner collection for Knoll. Now a Classic modern form that is at once Industrial and organic. Up...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Marge Carson Mid-Century Brass Souffle Poof Ottoman, Pair
Located in Countryside, IL
Marge Carson mid-century brass souffle poof ottoman - pair. Each ottoman measures: 16 wide x 16 deep x 16 inches high. All pieces of furniture can b...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Splayed Leg Compact Piano Window Bench Tufted Black Vinyl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice mid-century modern splayed legs bench in style of M. Baughman.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern Vintage Cherry Foot Stool 1950s Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage rectangular like footstool from cherrywood with pastel blue velvet upholstery, Josef Frank style, 1950s Austria. A stunning footstool new covered with past...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Cherry

Set of Three Midcentury Italian Modern Ebonized Footstools/Ottomans in Bouclé
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of three, half moon-form footstools/ottomans sourced in Rome, Italy newly upholstered in a cream bouclé (circa 1950s, Italy). Sculpted ebonized legs (three per stool) boast sharp...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Karl Springer American Mid-Century Blue Velvet and Steel Souffle Ottoman
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century 'Souffle' ottoman with blue velvet upholstery with a square gilt steel base. (Karl Springer)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Upholstery

Vintage Paul McCobb Stool Ottoman Bench Seat Mid Century Modern
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage Paul McCobb Stool Ottoman Bench Seat is a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture from the 1950s, manufactured in the United States. It is a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Iron

Pair of Edward Wormley Green Leather Ottomans for Dunbar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The tufted seat cushions are upholstered in a dark olive green leather, a beautiful compliment to the rich mahogany frame...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Mid-Century Plastic Stool or Footstool, 1970, Hungary
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition. - New fabric. - Cleaned.
Category

1970s Hungarian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Mid-Century Modern c1970s Round White Naugahyde Tufted Pouf Ottoman Bench Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern c1970s round white Naugahyde tufted pouf ottoman bench mint!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Naugahyde

1960s Danish Footstool in Teak by Capri
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Danish footstool in teak and faux leather manufactored by Capri Danish midcentury footstool with elegant organic shaped seat uphols...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Faux Leather, Teak

Arteriors Suede Strap and Brass Cube Ottoman/ Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stylish Suede Strap Footstool/ Table from Arteriors. Made in India. A square brass footed frame with gray suede webbing overall with adjustable height castors. Dimensions:;18” wide...
Category

20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Jens Risom Danish Off-White Shou Patterned Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with an off-white Shou-patterned fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery

Mid-Century Brass and Striped Maroon Upholstered X-Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century x-bench with a brass frame topped with a striped maroon upholstered seat.  
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass, Metal

Modern Woven Black Webbing and Bleached Walnut Rectangular Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century American rectangular bench with a bleached walnut frame with stretcher base and a seat made of woven black webbing.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Barrel Shape Burl Wood Veneer Stool
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Burl wood veneer barrel shape stool bench.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Burl

Fine French 1950s Metal and Leather Stool
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French mid-century round stool with a black lacquered metal base and a leather cushion.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Black Leather Metal Stool Johannes Spalt Austria 1961
Located in Vienna, AT
A high-quality black leather vintage leather stool with chromed steel feet and frame, which was designed by Johannes Spalt 1961 Austria and execu...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Mid-Century Footstool with Wheels, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric Original condition.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Fabric

Handmade Spanish Brutalist Foot stool 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Brutalist Spanish Foot stool or Ottoman . Handmade . Very nice boat shaped . good condition .
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood

MEDiUM NEW OLD STOCK LIBERTY STYLE OMERSA BROWN BULL COW LEATHER FOOTSTOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale 1 of 3 absolutely sublime new old stock original Liberty’s London Omersa style brown leather hand dyed Bull ...
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

Swivel Clear Lucite Waterfall Vanity Stool by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charles Hollis Jones "Waterfall" vanity stool. Has been professionally reupholstered in a light chenille fabric with gold flecks. Gold castor legs all roll smoothly. Swivel base...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Lucite

NEW OLD STOCK LIBERTY STYLE OMERSA BROWN LEATHER PIG FOOTSTOOL LARGE AND MEDiUM
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime new old stock original Liberty’s London Omersa style brown leather hand dyed Pig foo...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

Wonderful Transitional Chrome Velvet Stool Nickel Bamboo Jansen Bench
Located in Roslyn, NY
Perfect seating for the transitional or Classic rooms, this chrome / nickel stool with purple velvet fabric top done in bamboo chinoiserie design are so versatile that can be used in...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Nickel

Erik Jørgensen Bench, Model EJ 141, Designed by Jensen & Ernst
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Elegant stool/bench, model EJ 141 designed by Morten Ernst & Anne Mette Jensen for Erik Jørgensen, Denmark. It's a bench with legs made of chrome-plated and upholstered seat in black...
Category

Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Footrest Made of Teak with Leather 1970
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage footrest made of teak with leather 1970 This is a very solid footstool with a leather cushion. The base is made of teak wood. You can...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Teak

Dimitri Omersa Rhinoceros Leather Footstool by Abercrombie & Fitch C1965
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Absolutely fantastic piece of Sculptural Art in a piece of furniture by Abercrombie and Fitch, designed and executed by Dimitri Omersa C1965. In amazing vintage condition with minor ...
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Art Glass

Vintage Leather Abercrombie And Fitch Rhinoceros Leather Footstool
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Omersa leather Rhinoceros for Abercrombie and Fitch. The medium size can be used as a footstool but was built primarily as an ornament. Top grained unfinished cowhide leathe...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather

Mid Century Hand Tufting Wool Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful and unique upholstery. The stool is prepared in hand tufting technique. Everything is hand made in Poland, Europe. We used 1...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Beech

PK33 stool designed by Poul Khaerholm for Kold Christensen, Denmark
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
very important and rare PK33 stool designed by Poul Kjaerholm in red-brown leather. Manufactured by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, ca 1960ies, with makers emblem. The designs of th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Steel

Eero Saarinen Ottoman Fußhocker Knoll Intenational Tulip Hocker
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Vintage Fußhocker von Knoll International aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Eero Saarinen, einem der renommiertesten und bek...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Aluminum

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Mid Century Iron Stool
Located in Countryside, IL
Raymond Loewy for Mengel Mid Century iron stool This stool measures: 17.25 wide x 17.25 deep x 18 inches high All pieces of furniture ca...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Iron

Rocking Chair and Footrest by Angel Pazmino, Ecuador, 1970's
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Wood and leather rocking chair and footrest by Angel Pazmino for Meubles De Estilo Ecuador, 1970's. These pieces features a wooden peg ...
Category

1970s Ecuadorean Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of Italian Midcentury Carved and Turned Wood Stools or Benches, Italy, 1930
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern traditional benches / stools in richly carved and turned wood.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood

Mid-century Modern footstools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern footstools for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage footstools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern footstools made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original footstools, popular names associated with this style include De Sede, Dimitri Omersa, Jens Risom, and Abercrombie & Fitch. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for footstools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $132 and tops out at $32,000 while the average work can sell for $1,435.

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