Footstools
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Footstools
Walnut, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Brass
1920s Ethiopian Vintage Footstools
Wood
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Wood, Fabric, Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Revival Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Wood, Fabric, Oak, Fur
Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Velvet, Fabric, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Footstools
Wood
1970s French Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Brass
Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Footstools
Oak
2010s Renaissance Footstools
Mahogany
1970s Rustic Vintage Footstools
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Footstools
Copper
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Footstools
Brass
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Nickel
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
Early 1700s Italian Baroque Antique Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Spanish Minimalist Footstools
Brass, Steel
1850s British Antique Footstools
Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Naugahyde
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century Footstools
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Suede
2010s South African Footstools
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Antique Footstools
Giltwood
Early 1900s American Adirondack Antique Footstools
Hardwood, Paint
2010s American Minimalist Footstools
Aluminum
20th Century Hollywood Regency Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Wood
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Wood
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Bouclé, Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Cork
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Maple
2010s American Post-Modern Footstools
Velvet, Poplar
19th Century English Antique Footstools
Leather, Oak
2010s American Minimalist Footstools
Aluminum
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet, Wood
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Footstools
Hardwood
Early 2000s Italian Footstools
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Chesterfield Footstools
Cowhide, Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
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.





