Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Faux Fur, Maple
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Faux Fur, Maple
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
2010s British Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Mohair
1980s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rush, Wood, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Jute
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cement, Marble, Stone, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Elm, Walnut, Pine, Burl
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Acrylic, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1890s Danish Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Balinese Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Mexican Country Ottomans and Poufs
Rush, Wood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s American Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Lucite
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century Unknown Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century British Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s North American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Polyester
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
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.