Footstools
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Wood, Fabric, Oak, Fur
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Georgian Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary French Footstools
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Oak
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
1970s Swedish Post-Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
Late 19th Century Spanish Belle Époque Antique Footstools
Cane, Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Bentwood
1890s Antique Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
20th Century American Footstools
Cotton, Wood
20th Century European Footstools
Walnut
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
2010s American American Classical Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic, Teak
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1820s European Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Walnut
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Footstools
Tapestry, Walnut
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Pine
20th Century English Country Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Footstools
Oak, Cane, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Marble
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Rubber, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet, Beech, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Footstools
Wood
2010s American Footstools
Oak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Footstools
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary English Footstools
Sapele Wood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Footstools
Fruitwood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Animal Skin, Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
1930s Vintage Footstools
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Footstools
Iron
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.





