Bespoke Handmade Footstools FAQ’S

What size should a footstool be?

A footstool should not be too big, so it overpowers your space. If you have a large room, then a large footstool can make a very good feature piece, in the middle of a living room, or in between two sofas. If you have a smaller living room, then you don’t want to be falling over something too big for your space. We suggest marking out your space with either masking tape or newspaper. To decide on height, we suggest placing books near where you are wanting to put your feet up if that’s what you want to use it for. Not everyone wants to use and upholstered footstool as a footstool, but they want to use it as a coffee table or extra seating. The height of the footstool will depend on the size of the legs and the size of the timber we use to make the frame. All these things are taken into consideration when making your bespoke handmade footstool.

How do you make footstools from scratch?

We make footstools from scratch by designing and working out how to make them, so they are affordable. The legs we buy in are raw so can be stained and polished to the colour and finish you want. We make ours from a timber frame. We buy the planed timber, cut it to you size and make the frame. We sometimes make our own square tapering legs as Mark must make the frame a different way. Some companies make their footstools using a piece of chipboard and foam glued to the top. We refuse to make them this way as they do not last, and you cannot use them for extra seating. They are much cheaper, but this is not the way we work. We do not compromise on quality. The frame is covered in a high-density foam, wadding, calico and the final top cover.

What can I use a footstool for?

Your footstool can be used for a variety of things depending on where you buy it. Putting your feet up is the obvious one, but lots of customers like to use them as coffee tables. We make your handmade bespoke footstool flat so you can use a tray to have coffee and drinks on place on the top. Customers like to use them to put books and magazines on. The ones we make can also be used as extra seating. Be warned that some companies advise not to sit on a footstool they have made. We are quite the opposite because we know we make them to last and will withstand being sat on. A few years ago, we made some round footstools for a whiskey company who wanted some quirky cost-effective seating for a corporate event. We made the footstools in a fabric which matched their company colours, and they went down a storm. We’ve also made footstools for a shoe shop which has probably had more customers sitting on them than any domestic ones we’ve made.

What’s the difference between a footstool and a pouffe?

These are called different pieces depending on where you are from. We think pouffes are round soft and squashy which you sink into. Our opinion so don’t just take our word for it.

Should a footstool be the same height as a sofa?

This is a personal question. Some customers have heath issues and need to raise their feet to a certain height which will depend on how high you are sitting from your sofa or chair. The best way to see what height is best for you is to place some books where you sit and put your feet up to see if this is comfortable for you.

What is the best fabric for a footstool?

We have thousands of fabrics to choose from so will almost find one to suit your home and lifestyle. We like to ask questions to give you some ideas as to what the best fabric is for you unless you already have something in mind. Are you looking for a pattern or a plain fabric? If you are worried about accidents from children or animals, we have fabrics that have a stain repellent finish on them so spills can be mopped up and not spoil the fabric on your handmade footstool. We are here to help and give honest advice. All our fabrics are hard wearing. We always say we don’t have fabrics that we wouldn’t be happy using at home with our two boys. (They are 20 and 15 now but our furniture has had some stick over the years)

What is the best design of footstool?

The best design footstool is the one you like and love. It can be the most amazing design but if you don’t love it what’s the point? In the words of the great designer William Morris,

'Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful' - William Morris.

Inspiration can be found here footstools