Footstools
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Footstools
Cane, Wood, Wicker, Walnut
19th Century Antique Footstools
Velvet
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic, Lucite
2010s American Modern Footstools
Linen
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Mohair, Oak
1750s Italian Rococo Antique Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century North American Victorian Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Vintage Footstools
Iron
2010s American Modern Footstools
Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Leather, Birch, Polyester, Foam
Mid-20th Century Macedonian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wicker, Wood
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s Australian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s South African Footstools
Nickel
2010s American Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
20th Century Footstools
Wood
1810s English Regency Antique Footstools
Mahogany
19th Century Georgian Antique Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wood, Lambskin
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Elm
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
1940s American Late Victorian Vintage Footstools
Wicker
1870s Scottish Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Gothic Revival Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut, Paint
1980s American Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Foam
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Footstools
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
2010s French Footstools
Alabaster, Bronze
20th Century Indian Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
1980s American Vintage Footstools
Silk, Wood, Cotton
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Beech
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s American Footstools
Fur, Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Silk
1970s Unknown Rancho Monterey Vintage Footstools
Wood, Wool
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1880s Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Pine
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Footstools
Cowhide, Wood
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
20th Century Footstools
Wood
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
1970s American Vintage Footstools
Wood
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.