Baker Furniture Bar Stools
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
2010s American Country Ottomans and Poufs
Hide, Maple
Early 2000s American Regency Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Iron, Wrought Iron
People Also Browsed
2010s French Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Night Stands
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Bronze, Wrought Iron
2010s American Modern Stools
Oak
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Bergere Chairs
Linen
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Recent Sales
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Stools
Aluminum
1990s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Leather, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s Canadian Machine Age Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Late 20th Century Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Leather
Vintage 1960s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Finding the Right ottomans-poufs for You
Antique and vintage ottomans and poufs add comfort and style to any living room, game room, home office or minimalist lounge space. An ottoman is a short seat or footstool that is also often used to store items. A pouf is similar, but it’s typically more petite than an ottoman, usually without the storage space inside.
When one thinks of the Ottoman Empire, it’s easy to overlook the iconic seat named for the region. The ottoman — originally an upholstered seat or small bench without a back or arms — was a family’s main seating furniture, a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats. It wasn’t until they were brought to Europe from Turkey, during the 18th century, that it became popular to join ottomans with other pieces of furniture, such as at the base of a chair. Eventually, these footrests were transformed into storage furnishings to organize quilts and blankets or other textiles. Furniture makers crafted their ottomans with lids that revealed a hidden cupboard, which rendered them both comfortable and practical.
Poufs, which appeared in France during the 1840s, are also of the low-platform seating variety. These versatile furnishings have been made available in all manner of shapes and sizes over time, and depending upon their firmness can be used as a side table should an occasion call for an extra one. However, your average ottoman is almost always firmer than a pouf, and even if the plush pouf in your living room feels sturdy, it’s probably not the best surface for your early-evening cocktail.
Both ottomans and poufs can help create an inviting and warm atmosphere in your living space. For the smaller rooms that are characterized by a casual feel, a shaggy or woven wool pouf might be a better choice, as it’s likely to be more compact and floor-cushion-like than an ottoman. The latter are often larger and more table-like and are comparatively a good fit for a more formal room such as a library or a study. Today, you might find that an ottoman works well in your bedroom, where there isn’t room for a sofa, or perhaps it can serve as a reliable perch in front of your vintage vanity table.
Whatever your seating needs are, find a collection of antique, new and vintage ottomans and poufs in varying styles on 1stDibs that include neoclassical, Industrial and mid-century modern. From the bright colors and bold patterns deployed by Milan-born designer Lorenza Bozzoli to the classy leather furnishings created at family-run Brooklyn, New York, atelier Moses Nadel, there is an endless range of these lovable low stools that merge seamlessly with most decor.
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