Footstools
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Cord, Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Late 20th Century Moroccan Post-Modern Footstools
Fabric
20th Century British Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Other Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
1980s Vintage Footstools
Steel
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Brass
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Unknown Directoire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Footstools
Sheepskin, Walnut
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Footstools
Iron
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Footstools
Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Footstools
Brass, Steel
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Footstools
Silk, Cane, Walnut
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Footstools
Walnut
1810s English Regency Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1990s Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century Classical Roman Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools
Leather
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
2010s American Baroque Footstools
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Footstools
Metal
19th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Footstools
Giltwood
2010s Italian Modern Footstools
Steel
1880s Aesthetic Movement Antique Footstools
Beech
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Rush, Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Late 20th Century African Footstools
Wood
1940s Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Wool, Oak
2010s Argentine Modern Footstools
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Footstools
Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Rosewood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
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.








