Ottomans and Poufs
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Upholstery
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cement, Marble, Stone, Iron
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak, Bentwood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Katalox, Hardwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Burl
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fiberglass
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Fabric, Textile
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1990s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Animal Skin, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Belgian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Silver Leaf
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Wood, Wicker, Teak, Bamboo
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1920s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Suede, Wood
Mid-20th Century Philippine Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 2000s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Fabric
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum, Chrome
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Early 19th Century French Renaissance Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1970s Islamic Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Foam, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope, Beech, Plywood
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.