Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Fabric
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Fabric
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Bouclé, Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Foam, Wood, Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Mohair
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam, Birdseye Maple, Maple, Beads
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century Unknown Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
2010s Italian Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Upholstery
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Rattan
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Oak
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Oceanic Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Hardwood
2010s Oceanic Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bamboo, Straw, Cane, Rattan
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.