Selecting a Table stool

Whatever the style and design of table stool needed to complement any room there is going to be one which is just perfect to suit your requirements. There is a huge choice of fabric and leather covers – you have the difficult decision of which, out of the vast selection, is right for you. Even more surprising is the extremely low price particularly when you consider the workmanship which is necessary to achieve these items of furniture.

Selecting Your Table stool
Table stools are available with a large selection of different legs all are which are chosen to marry up with the fabric or leather covering of the table stool. These are extremely sturdy pieces of furniture designed to take centre stage in whichever setting chosen for it. Fabric toppings include contemporary and traditional styles, which are all available as swatches for you to look at in the comfort of your own home. The standard size for one of these wonderful table stools is 40” x 30” although if you felt that a different size is more appropriate for a particular setting, then of course, this can easily be ordered from our bespoke range of table stools which are made especially for each customer. The stools are designed specifically at a low height which is usual with this particular style. All these footstools are priced individually depending on the materials used for covering the stools. The prices are extremely competitive for the amount and quality of workmanship involved in each and every table stool. These coverings include natural and chenille fabrics to materials with bold patterns and colours. Alternatively consider the wide choice available in our range of butter soft leathers in colours to suit every home.

Ordering Your Table stool
There are a range of material swatches for you to choose the perfect covering. You will only be able to tell the quality of fabrics by seeing and feeling samples of the specific materials used. Our customer services team will be happy to help you in any way possible. You can contact them either by completing the online form and requesting a call at a time convenient for you, or by phone direct to customer services. Take the time necessary to make the correct decision as to the perfect table stool for your home. Once the choice has been made you can order with confidence knowing the high quality with which your footstool will be manufactured. This outstanding piece of furniture will grace your home for many years.

Yet Another Humble footstool!

The humble footstool began its life as a random item, designed to take the weight off muddy boots. People found that sitting with their legs outstretched was a more natural and comfortable position when sitting upright, and this simple device allowed weight to be distributed more proportionally. This in turn, provided them with higher levels of relaxation and comfort, commencing the continual search for things to rest their heels on.At this point, chairs were reserved for those of importance such as dignitaries, and the everyday man would instead use backless stools to perch on – which were inevitably grabbed occasionally for those on chairs to rest their royal feet on.

The realisation that the human form is just not designed to be seated for long periods of time still rings true today. Also unchanged in time, sitting bolt upright often encouraged the crossing of legs, which is known to cut off the full blood flow to the lower limbs and affect the alignment of the spine.The footstool was made even more practical and popular with the realisation that, medically speaking, raising one’s legs meant better circulation.

It wasn’t long before upholsterers began to apply the same ideas to four-legged stools as was used on the main seating, with many designs and patterns to choose from, and features such as padded tops began to make an appearance too.Soon, the footstool, like the chair, was available to purchase in an array of styles, colours and fabrics, from leather to linen. This made what was originally an ancillary item, start to stand out in a room and begin its evolution into a design icon in its own right. As time marched on, homeowners realised that when produced in line and in height with the sofa and matching chairs that now adorned every living room, they could also add to their available seating with the added bonus of the footstool being more mobile.

Now also considered a useful storage area, function has combined with comfort as many footstools are now made hollow with a lid for storing magazines and newspapers. Commonly known as ottomans, these are designed to take the clutter of items like magazines or extra cushions and linens from the initial view of the room while keeping them within easy access. Bench stools are space savers that are more elongated in shape and are ideal to slot under your window sill when not being used to relieve your joints. These can sometimes be made with arms and look like a miniature but backless version of your sofa and are reminiscent of a modern day chaise.A style very popular now is the large square ottoman, which has a number of uses: from coffee table to storage unit, as well as for resting your feet on of course, these now come in a range of designs to make an attractive centrepiece.

Treasured Footstools

Before reclining chairs and sumptious sofas people used a footstool to stretch out their legs after another long hard day at work. When making dinner the footstool was summoned to reach the furthest jar in the cupboard when your vertically challenged mother could stretch no more. The relics of childhood footstools in our house are now battered wooden structures in need of a lick of paint!

Earlier incarnations of footstools have survived the years because most were carved from hard wearing wood such as oak or teak. Most were valued and lovingly cared for by their owners. With the passage of time footstools were reupholstered, some with needlepoint others with tapestry or quilted covers. I have always treasured my collection of footstools as valued pieces of antique furniture in their own right.

With my own footstool collection, some are valued for the beauty of the wood and the ornate decoration of the carving while others are displayed for their beautiful fabrics and aesthetic qualities. Small wooden footstools are wonderful when displayed on a table shelf or a large bookcase . You will find a lot of valued footstools in the homes of antique dealers. Such people are in the business because they treasure what they sell. And with the passage of time precious articles can accumulate. Things look better on a table or shelf albeit on different levels, perhaps with a glass frontage or spotlight to aid display. Instead of clutter a display of footstools creates interest, a focal point for guests at a gathering or party. They are indeed museum pieces for the home, a valuable journal of days gone by.

By the middle of the twentieth century footstools became large square hassocks. And yet, these wonderful pieces were built to last footstools before that era are still plentiful today at a good price. They were not thrown away, instead, they were kept to enjoy for the beauty they are. From me to you, add a footstool to your home, it's a fabulous conversation piece that really does create a home sweet home statement.





The author runs several well respected furniture businesses and is a respected authority on the subject of footstools and modern furniture design.

World Leaders Who Need Footstools

Kim Jong-il, Russia's Dmitry Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy may need to gain an extra few inches in order to make up for their lack of stature on the world stage. Indeed Sarkozy, the French President, has started using a footstool to make up for his lack of inches when appearing with taller world leaders. Recent pictures have caught him using a discreet wooden accessory during world summits. It followed repeated attempts by the 55-year-old to use everything from stacked heels to standing on tiptoes to increase his tiny stature.

President Sarkozy is just 5ft 5 inches whereas many contemporary world statesmen are more than six feet in height. Barack Obama is 6 feet 2 inches, as is Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper and German Chancellor Angela Merkel is 5feet 8 inches tall. The new British Prime Minister David Cameron stands well over six feet. President Sarkozy is even smaller than Napoleon.

A spokesmen for the French President said "The footstool was put in place just before M. Sarkozy made one of his speeches in Normandy... He knew he was appearing on the same podium as far taller world leaders and would have looked ridiculous using a lectern set at their height. You would have barely been able to see Mr Sarkozy's hair bobbing up and down." An insider added, "Combined with his stacked heels, the footstool allowed M. Sarkozy to look as though he was an impressive height, although there were sniggers from those of us who could see what was really going on."

Carla Bruni, the President's statuesque wife, last week admitted that she regretted the way people mocked the flat heeled pumps she regularly wears to try and disguise the five inch height difference between the couple, who married two years ago. The 43-year-old former supermodel turned First Lady, who is 5ft 10 ins, said she could accept almost all the pressures of her new job – except attacks on the diminutive head of state she calls "My little chou chou".

An Elysee Palace spokesperson confirmed that the new Sarkozy footstool was a "useful accessory" to make sure that the President did not disappear behind lecterns designed for far taller world leaders. Fun is frequently poked at the President for standing on a footstool behind podiums known as a "Sarkozy step" when making speeches.

The French president is not the smallest major world leader – he is slightly taller than North Korea's Kim Jong-il and Russia's Dmitry Medvedev, both of whom are 5ft 3 ins tall. It is perhaps best not to recommend a footstool for Kim Jong-il in the light of his current macho posturing over nuclear weapons, the poor performance of the North Korean football team in the recent World Cup and his parody in the film "Team America"!


The author has over 20 years experience running companies involved in furnishing fabrics and furniture manufacturing in the UK and writes extensively about current events, footstools and contemporary furniture.

The footstool Collector

Before the advent of reclining chairs and sofas people used a footstool. Footstools have survived the passage of time because most were carved from wood and beautifully upholstered. Over the years footstools were upholstered and upholstered again by their owners, some with needlepoint hand work others with tapestry or quilted covers. I have always collected footstools as valued pieces in their own right and am proud of the collection I have built up.

As for my own private footstool collection, some are valued for the beauty of the wood, while others are displayed for their ornate fabric and aesthetic qualities. Wooden footstools are wonderful as a table shelf. You will find a lot of footstools in the homes of antique dealers. Such people are in the business because they value what they sell. And as the years go by, things accumulate. Ornate footstools are presented as works of art in their own right. They look better on a table or shelf albeit on different levels. A sympathetic lighting display always creates interest - instead of clutter a display of footstools creates a focal point for guests at a gathering or party.

By the middle of the twentieth century footstools became large square hassocks. And yet, these wonderful pieces were built to last. Footstools before that era are still plentiful today and can be found at auction for sale at affordable prices. They were not thrown away, instead, they were kept to enjoy for the beauty they represented. From me to you, add a footstool to your home, it's a fabulous conversation piece that really does create a home sweet home statement.


This author does not get out much and is a regular contributor to the world of footstools and writes extensively about UK contemporary furniture.

The Humble Footstool

As an unprepossessing piece of furniture the footstool was regarded by many as an unnecessary encumbrance to the set up of a room. Individuals sat in their large padded chair by the fireplace with their feet in a horizontal position without giving much thought to the "Humble Footstool".

As an item of great merit, the footstool really serves us very well. We relax with our feet up at the end of a hard working day. Now, the humble footstool has emerged as a central piece of furniture in its own right and turned those lazy evenings of comfort into stylish relaxation. Now we proudly display our footstools as essential room accessories. They have developed their own distinctive character and have even become part of the family!

We still utilise the benefits of having a lower level footstool that can be easily tucked away to make more room when we have guests arriving and space is at a premium. Storage footstools allow us to gather up our belongings giving the room a quick makeover when those guests arrive on a whim. Cube footstools with storage even have the added benefit extra seating when chairs are at a premium and space is limited. Developments in footstool technology now give us a range of multifunctional footstools: - these have practical and functional benefits whilst contributing style and glamour to the aesthetic appearance of our rooms.

As designs have progressed over the years we can forget about the conventional rectangular shape of our footstools. Although still in the majority of footstools sold, there are a multitude of alternative shapes to suit today's discerning footstool buyer. We can rest our feet on a rounded square "Pouffe" that doubles up as an emergency children or pets seat! Thanks to their unrivalled comfort and soft foam padding, pouffes (or cube footstools) are actually popular in many shoe stores. Manufacturers supply them as practical seating with optional foot rests. These cube footstools are also be provided in a variety of vibrant shades and materials.

Many people select leather or faux leather (imitation) cubes in natural tones such as dark brown, rust, mocha, beige or and sometimes rouge. Also popular are luxury cube footstools with exotic floral designs in chenille, velvet, suedes or basket weave fabrics. In addition we find earth tones with metallic notes incorporated in several of the high end fabric suppliers offerings. Many footstool upholsterers offer faux leather on storage cube footstools so when we rest our feet the cube can be easily wiped clean by using a cloth soaked in mild detergent. These footstools score well on hygenene and such materials are often found in medical environments or where it is essential the room remains clean. The added benefit of cube storage is as a place to store books, games, DVD's or bedding thus providing storage and style in equal measure!

Footstool designers encourage us to engage with round cylindrical footstools known as drum stools. Drum stools provide comfortable seating and are often located in bars, restaurants and reception areas. They are designed to be about 18 inches high (an optimum seating height) although many people prefer a low drum stool at about 12 inches high as a perfect small foot rest. In contrast to the conventional rectangular or square cube, drum stools are ideal for a house that loves curves not defined angles.

People today enjoy the best of both worlds, a stylish large footstool and a place to rest our feet! These large footstools or tablestools are designed to allow you to rest your cup and saucer and the morning newspaper on with their large flat surface, whilst still being a comfortable foot rest. We often get yelled at for having our feet on the table so why not opt for a large tablestool! A recent new addition is the table stool ottoman where all bases are covered. There will no longer be an excuse for untidiness in any house that has invested in a footstool ottoman.

The author runs several furniture businesses and is a respected authority on the subject of footstools and modern furniture design.

Large footstool suggestions

Such is the range on offer from various internet providers that even the largest footstool makes a welcome addition to any living room. A large footstool is a particularly valuable piece of furniture and benefits the homeowner by offering additional seating capacity during busy family get together. The size works well in a sizable room where a large footstool fills the spaces between sofas, chairs and tables. The presence of a large footstool is welcome where a roaring fire enables many people to put their feet up on what becomes "the central feature" of the room. Relaxation and bonhomie ensue.

It should always be remembered that a large footstool is an essential piece of furniture when weary limbs crave the moment to be rest. When tiredness can no longer be resisted “putting your feet up” on such a large receptacle of relaxation becomes the order of the day. Large footstools can indeed be used for dual purposes - informal seating, accent tables - in addition to their traditional, formal uses. A well designed large footstool will make a substantial decorating statement. Size matters! When you need to go large then it is a large footstool you need!

There is no point positioning your large footstool in anything but a large room. Stylish large footstools enhance the décor and what is most important is the upholstery choice. A bright, vibrant fabric selection will enhance almost any surroundings.

What further compliments the large footstool is the choice of feet and legs. The primary selection is between metal or wooden legs however within these options lay further choices. When choosing wood the discerning customer can ask for “turned” or “contemporary” legs. To enhance the choice metal or brass castors may be selected. Alternatively a fully “metallic” leg may be selected. This can include a “turned leg in metallic finish with chrome castors” or the sumptuous “tall polished metal leg”

Finally the height is an important facet of the large footstool choice. For instance a tall contemporary leg can give your footstool the presence it deserves. If the footstool is also to be used for occasional seating a minimum sitting height of 14" (36cm) is recommended. In conclusion whichever room you decide to place your large footstool it deserves to be shown in its full splendour and in the most palatial of surroundings!