Footstools
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Footstools
Silk, Oak
1810s English Regency Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Pine
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
2010s French Organic Modern Footstools
Oak
19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Footstools
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Footstools
Cedar
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Beech, Bentwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
1870s Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Beech
Late 20th Century American Moorish Footstools
Brass
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
1980s North American Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Beech
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Italian Post-Modern Footstools
Other
20th Century Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
1960s French Directoire Vintage Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cane, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Footstools
Fabric
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Aluminum
20th Century French Footstools
Stone
1970s Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Spanish Footstools
Leather, Wood
1930s British Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s French Modern Footstools
Oak
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Footstools
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 2000s Footstools
Metal
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Fabric, Linen, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Rattan
2010s Israeli Footstools
Wool, Silk
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Burl
20th Century English Chesterfield Footstools
Leather
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Beech, Tapestry
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
19th Century American Adirondack Antique Footstools
Wood
20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
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.





