Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1940s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel
2010s Swedish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Metal, Stainless Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Senegalese Brutalist Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1980s Unknown Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Fabric
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood, Oak
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s European Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
Late 20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1990s French Space Age Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Mahogany
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1980s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Ash, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Oak
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bamboo
Antique and Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
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.