Footstools
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Zebra Hide, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Upholstery, Beech
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1890s American Chinoiserie Antique Footstools
Giltwood
1950s Italian Brutalist Vintage Footstools
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Beech
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Wrought Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wicker, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
20th Century British Footstools
Leather, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Footstools
Bentwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Footstools
Wood
1920s Vintage Footstools
Wool, Cotton, Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Footstools
Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Oak
1970s Unknown Directoire Vintage Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Late 19th Century French Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Footstools
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Footstools
Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Sheepskin, Teak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1930s European Neoclassical Revival Vintage Footstools
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Footstools
Oak
20th Century European Footstools
Walnut
20th Century English Kilim Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Steel, Chrome
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic, Teak
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Ceramic, Tapestry, Walnut
1890s English Antique Footstools
Textile, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary English Footstools
Sapele Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Footstools
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Wood, Fabric, Oak, Fur
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wrought Iron
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Footstools
Rattan
1890s Antique Footstools
Wood
1950s Italian Regency Revival Vintage Footstools
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Oak
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.





