Inlaid Footstool
20th Century African Footstools
Mother-of-Pearl, Rope, Wood
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Brocade, Giltwood
20th Century Indian Footstools
Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Stools
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Stools
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century English Art Nouveau Stools
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
Antique 19th Century American Painted Furniture
Antique 19th Century Unknown Neoclassical Footstools
Antique 1880s Scottish Stools
Walnut
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Early 20th Century Asian Jars
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Games
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Swedish Books
Leather, Paper
Antique Late 19th Century French Pillows and Throws
Silk
Early 20th Century French Empire Table Lamps
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Egyptian Revival Stools
Faux Bamboo, Walnut
20th Century English Art Deco Game Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Vases
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Onyx, Marble
Antique 19th Century French Metalwork
Copper
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Serving Bowls
Silver
Antique 1840s English Victorian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
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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