Footstools
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Wood
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Other
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Teak
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Upholstery
2010s French Modern Footstools
Oak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Plastic
2010s English Regency Footstools
Gold Leaf
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Plastic
2010s American Modern Footstools
Fur
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s English Regency Footstools
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century English Regency Revival Antique Footstools
Cane, Mahogany
2010s Brazilian Footstools
Imbuia
2010s Footstools
Velvet
1930s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Beech
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hardwood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rattan
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Walnut
20th Century British Georgian Footstools
Leather
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
1950s Belgian Baroque Revival Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Footstools
Brass
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Nylon, Walnut
2010s North American Post-Modern Footstools
Brass
2010s British Footstools
Earthenware, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Oak, Fabric
Late 20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Footstools
Ceramic
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Footstools
Rattan
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Lucite
2010s Footstools
Travertine
19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
2010s European Other Footstools
Wood
2010s Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
1870s American Egyptian Revival Antique Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Late 19th Century Jacobean Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
2010s Footstools
Fabric, Wool, Ash
1990s European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
1880s English High 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.





