The Under-the-Radar Vintage Find I Never Leave Behind at The Thrift Store

A few years ago, my husband and I began working on a big design project in upstate New York. I was constantly on the hunt for vintage decor, and I picked up personal pieces here and there — even when I didn’t quite have a place for them yet. Among those was a pair of 19th-century parquetry inlaid footstools I had fallen in love with at an antiques auction — although I had no idea these little guys would kick-start an entire vintage footstool collection. 

I’ve since taken to collecting footstools from antique markets, auctions, and Marketplace. They’re typically an inexpensive vintage find, and small enough that they’re easy to walk away with in the moment. I always recover footstools myself, using leftover fabrics in our studio. And as soon as my interiors are at risk of feeling stale, I can shuffle my footstools around for an immediate refresh.

Although perceived to be more common in the 19th (and early 20th) century, footstools are ever-relevant in today’s interiors. The impact of a footstool in a room is exponentially greater than its size. I find that they help create a sense of scale in a space and, depending on their upholstery, add an additional layer of texture. 

It’s not all about looks, though; footstools are quite functional (even multifunctional), too. For something that can seem like an afterthought, adding a footstool to your living room will suddenly have you questioning how you ever sat comfortably in an accent chair or on a sofa without one. 

Footstools are toddler-approved, too! I recently repurposed one with hinged storage to house my daughter’s animal figures. She absolutely loves climbing on it, and is always pleasantly surprised when she opens it to reveal her toys.

Now, if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon a vintage footstool yourself, don’t be intimidated by the upholstery part. It’s way easier than you’d think, especially for small pieces like this!  

For my first two footstools, I dusted them off and recovered them in Pierre Frey Les Colonnes from Braquenié fabric. An electric staple gun made for an extra-easy DIY, but a manual staple gun would work just fine. Next, I unboxed some tassels from my grandmother’s collection, and glued them to the edges for a stylish — and sentimental — finish. 

I repeated the same process for the rectangular storage piece. Again, don’t be intimidated — a small piece like a footstool is the perfect opportunity to try out this DIY! It’s also the perfect canvas for incorporating that textured or patterned fabric you’ve been eyeing without investing in a larger piece like a chair, ottoman, or couch.

No matter what shape, size, or intended purpose, footstools are great conversational pieces that are sure to elevate your space (pun intended). Should you find yourself wanting to start your own collection, take some advice from a seasoned collector like myself: 

• Pay attention to the frame, not to the cushion. 
• Consider the scale — collect different heights to add variety to a room. 
• Always turn it over to observe how easily it can be recovered.