Footstools
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Brass
1780s English George II Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1990s American Post-Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
19th Century British Antique Footstools
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Georgian Footstools
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Regency Footstools
Wood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Cotton, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Footstools
Leather
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Footstools
Wood
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hardwood
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Footstools
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Rattan
1940s French Vintage Footstools
Wood, Rush
1870s American Egyptian Revival Antique Footstools
Walnut
1950s Vintage Footstools
Wood
1780s Italian Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1880s Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Pine
19th Century Irish Antique Footstools
Brass
1920s Ethiopian Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Other
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Footstools
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
20th Century French Footstools
Brass, Steel
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Plastic
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Velvet, Mahogany
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Teak
2010s French Modern Footstools
Oak
2010s Brazilian Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Wood
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Plastic
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s English Regency Footstools
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Oak
1980s American Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
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.





