Footstools
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Oak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Bentwood
20th Century European Footstools
Walnut
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
2010s American American Classical Footstools
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Footstools
Tapestry, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Plastic, Teak
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
1820s European Neoclassical Antique Footstools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
19th Century American American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century Spanish Belle Époque Antique Footstools
Cane, Wood, Oak
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Georgian Footstools
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century English Country Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American Shaker Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary English Footstools
Sapele Wood
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Footstools
Steel
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Pine
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Footstools
Rubber, Oak
1930s Vintage Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Footstools
Wood
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet, Beech, Walnut
Early 20th Century Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Footstools
Iron
2010s European Footstools
Fabric
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Steel
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Pine
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood, Fabric
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Footstools
Fruitwood
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Silk, Velvet
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
Early 20th Century European Late Victorian Footstools
Wood, Upholstery
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Indian Footstools
Cotton, Silk, Wood
19th Century Irish Antique Footstools
Brass
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
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.





