Footstools
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Foam
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Bohemian Footstools
Wool, Wood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Rope, Oak
1940s Italian Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
18th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Footstools
Brass
1960s Vintage Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Asian Footstools
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Aluminum, Wrought Iron
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
Early 20th Century Edwardian Footstools
Wool, Canvas, Walnut
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1840s American Antique Footstools
Textile, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
2010s Finnish Post-Modern Footstools
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Plastic
Early 20th Century English Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Swedish Post-Modern Footstools
Chrome
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
20th Century British Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1960s Vintage Footstools
Brass
1780s European George III Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Bohemian Footstools
Fabric, Rattan
Late 20th Century Footstools
Upholstery, Zebra Wood
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Japonisme Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Bouclé
20th Century English Victorian Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century English Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Modern Footstools
Steel
20th Century French French Provincial Footstools
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Organic Modern Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Gothic Revival Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1890s Dutch Black Forest Antique Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Faux Leather, Plastic
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century American Victorian Footstools
Tapestry, Velvet, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Footstools
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Ceramic, Tapestry, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
1990s Footstools
Metal
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
17th Century English Antique Footstools
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Rush, Rope, Wood
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
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.





