European Upholstery Footstools
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Giltwood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Footstools
Fruitwood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Stools
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s Italian Benches
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Giltwood, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Italian Benches
Metal
Antique 19th Century Swedish Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Burlap, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Footstools
Pine, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century British Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Footstools
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1960s Dutch Footstools
Upholstery
Early 20th Century Italian Footstools
Wood, Silk, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s Italian Footstools
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Footstools
Giltwood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Dutch Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Foam, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century French Footstools
Leather, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s Spanish Benches
PVC, Velvet, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Footstools
Rosewood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Giltwood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Walnut, Velvet, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s French Benches
Wood, Leather, Upholstery
Italian Footstools
Metal
20th Century French Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s French Footstools
Brass
...
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Footstools
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s French Footstools
Wrought Iron
Signed with John Stuart label to underside and marke...
Vintage 1960s Danish Footstools
Upholstery
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Footstools
Giltwood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century French Footstools
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Footstools
Wood, Paint, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s French Footstools
Wood, Cotton, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s English Footstools
Upholstery, Linen
Antique 19th Century Swedish Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Footstools
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Benches
Wood, Paint, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century German Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Swedish Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century English Benches
Mahogany, Upholstery
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European Upholstery Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are European Upholstery Footstools?
Finding the Right Footstools for You
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.
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