Footstools
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Fur, Wood
1960s Unknown Directoire Vintage Footstools
Walnut
20th Century English Queen Anne Footstools
Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Footstools
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
1980s English Vintage Footstools
Wood
2010s Italian Footstools
Textile
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Leather, Ash
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Footstools
Bamboo
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1970s English Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Faux Leather, Walnut
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Teak
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Footstools
Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Footstools
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Teak
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Wool, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Oak
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Papercord, Teak
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Late 17th Century English Antique Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century Footstools
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Hickory, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Plastic
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Upholstery
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Footstools
Rattan
1920s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Birch
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Beech
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century African Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Fabric, Oak
2010s Mexican Modern Footstools
Hardwood, Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Footstools
Hemp, Wood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Footstools
Mohair, Giltwood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Fabric, 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.