Berber Floor Pillow
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Pillows and Throws
Wool
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Moroccan and North African Rugs
Wool
20th Century Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs
Wool, Goat Hair
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21st Century and Contemporary Books
Foil
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
2010s American Minimalist Benches
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Pillows and Throws
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and...
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s American Modern Table Lamps
Steel, Brass, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal, Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Bamboo
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Side Tables
Macassar
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
Stone, Wrought Iron
2010s Canadian Post-Modern Chairs
Rattan, Maple
2010s Australian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s Moroccan Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Italian Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Vintage 1980s Moroccan Brutalist Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Footstools
Wool
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Sequins, Wool, Cotton
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Footstools
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Footstools
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Footstools
Wool
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cotton, Sequins
Vintage 1980s Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
20th Century Moroccan Tribal Pillows and Throws
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1980s Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1980s Moroccan Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Goat Hair
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Vintage 1970s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
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.