Footstools
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Walnut
2010s American Modern Footstools
Brass, Nickel
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century French Modern Footstools
Foam, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Footstools
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Early 20th Century Shaker Footstools
Rush, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Glass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Nickel, Bronze
Early 20th Century Regency Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Zebra Hide, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Other Footstools
Leather
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Giltwood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Nickel, Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Asian Footstools
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
Mid-19th Century British Antique Footstools
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut, Beech, Fabric, Chenille
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Teak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
2010s American Modern Footstools
Bronze, Nickel
2010s American Footstools
Oak
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Bronze, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Foam, Fabric, Plywood
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Footstools
Zebra Hide
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
20th Century Indian Romantic Footstools
Brass
1970s North American American Empire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1930s American Country Vintage Footstools
Textile, Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
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.