Used Ottomans
21st Century and Contemporary American Used Ottomans
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Used Ottomans
Fabric, Down
20th Century English Used Ottomans
Fabric, Wood
1990s Used Ottomans
Mohair, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Used Ottomans
Wool
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Leather, Beech
1960s Swiss Used Ottomans
Leather
Late 20th Century Used Ottomans
Cotton
1970s Used Ottomans
Wool
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Hide, Upholstery, Wood
1960s Swiss Used Ottomans
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary German Hollywood Regency Used Ottomans
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Used Ottomans
Leather, Oak
Late 20th Century American Used Ottomans
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Modern Used Ottomans
1990s Italian Modern Used Ottomans
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Used Ottomans
Wood
20th Century French Used Ottomans
Fabric, Foam, Down
20th Century Used Ottomans
Fabric
Late 20th Century American Directoire Used Ottomans
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Used Ottomans
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Regency Used Ottomans
Cane
1930s American Adirondack Used Ottomans
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Used Ottomans
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Leather
2010s American Used Ottomans
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Used Ottomans
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Steel
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Used Ottomans
Fabric, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Fabric
Late 20th Century Modern Used Ottomans
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Modern Used Ottomans
Upholstery, Velvet
Late 20th Century American Regency Used Ottomans
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Australian George I Used Ottomans
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Used Ottomans
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Stainless Steel
1960s American Used Ottomans
Copper
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Cowhide
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Used Ottomans
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Used Ottomans
Iron
1980s American Post-Modern Used Ottomans
Leather
2010s North American Modern Used Ottomans
Fabric
1990s Used Ottomans
Cotton
Mid-20th Century North American Used Ottomans
Leather
Late 20th Century American Used Ottomans
Stainless Steel
1990s Hollywood Regency Used Ottomans
Brass
1970s Louis XIV Used Ottomans
Velvet, Wood
20th Century French Used Ottomans
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Used Ottomans
Metal
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Used Ottomans
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Used Ottomans
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Indian Used Ottomans
Leather, Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Used Ottomans
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Ottomans
Wood
Late 20th Century Used Ottomans
Upholstery
19th Century English Victorian Used Ottomans
Linen, Mahogany
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Used Ottomans For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Used Ottomans?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, an ottoman can be used as a footstool. 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. On 1stDibs, find a collection of ottomans.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024The use of an ottoman in a bedroom is largely the same as it is in a living room. A person may place an ottoman in front of a lounge chair or accent chair used for reading in the bedroom, or they might position it at the foot of the bed or against the wall so that it can serve as a bench. An ottoman with a hinged top and a hidden inner compartment may serve as storage furniture for bedding, pillows, clothing, shoes or accessories. Shop a large selection of ottomans on 1stDibs.
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