Footstools
20th Century Organic Modern Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Footstools
Cowhide, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Maple
1860s English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Fabric, Hardwood
2010s German Modern Footstools
Maple
1970s Classical Roman Vintage Footstools
Cowhide, Leather
1780s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Regency Footstools
Iron
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Cowhide, Leather
1940s French Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
2010s Israeli Footstools
Steel
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s Unknown Vintage Footstools
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Ash
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1990s European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Chrome
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Bouclé
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Footstools
Oak
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
1830s American Art Deco Antique Footstools
Nickel
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Footstools
Mahogany
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
1780s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Antique Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Rattan
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Hardwood
1960s Vintage Footstools
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 1900s Gothic Antique Footstools
Oak
1890s Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Footstools
Brass
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Oak
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Chrome
Early 20th Century Victorian Footstools
Metal
19th Century Unknown Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Maple
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Oak, Wool
1810s English Regency Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
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.





