Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Laminate
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Laminate
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Leather
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
1970s Swiss Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1950s English Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Beech
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
20th Century Unknown Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Bamboo
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Nickel
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1960s French Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Late 20th Century American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Elm
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Australian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1940s English Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Moroccan Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Australian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile
Mid-20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
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.