Late 20th Century Maple Ottomans and Poufs
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Maple
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2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Armchairs
Chrome, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cotton, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Stainless Steel
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather
Recent Sales
1990s American Ottomans and Poufs
Maple
Vintage 1970s European Louis XV Chairs
Hide, Wood, Maple
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Animal Skin, Upholstery, Wood, Maple, Lacquer
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Maple
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Maple
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Velvet, Maple
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Maple, Leather
Finding the Right Ottomans and 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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