Footstools
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet
Late 19th Century Empire Revival Antique Footstools
Linen, Mahogany
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile
1980s American Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
2010s South African Footstools
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1910s American Vintage Footstools
Wool, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Footstools
Oak, Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Asian Rustic Footstools
Belgian Black Marble
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Alpaca, Beech
Late 20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Footstools
Iron
1970s English Vintage Footstools
Wood, Paint, Leather
Early 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Footstools
Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Footstools
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Upholstery
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Footstools
Wood
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hide
Early 1900s American Country Antique Footstools
Hardwood, Paint
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, Beech
20th Century European Art Deco Footstools
Leather, Wood
20th Century English Queen Anne Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Danish Arts and Crafts Footstools
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Mahogany
2010s American Footstools
Fur, Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Upholstery, Faux Fur
1930s European Neoclassical Revival Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
19th Century Moroccan Primitive Antique Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Rustic Footstools
Brass
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
1950s French Vintage Footstools
Wood
1960s Swiss Vintage Footstools
Leather
20th Century French Footstools
Giltwood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Oak
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Cotton
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
1950s Italian Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Jacquard, Beech
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
1960s French Vintage Footstools
Pine
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Brass
20th Century French Art Deco Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Indonesian Organic Modern Footstools
Wood, Teak
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Beech
2010s American Footstools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary British Footstools
Wool, Wood
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, 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.





