Ottomans and Poufs





1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Polystyrene
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rush
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 20th Century European Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century European Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Australian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Wood
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Natural Fiber, Resin
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Jute
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Natural Fiber, Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Norwegian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Upholstery
1960s Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Hemp, Wood
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Poplar
1960s British Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Damask
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Norwegian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Polyester
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Fabric
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Stone
2010s Finnish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas, Ash, Oak, Leather
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic, Foam, Wood, Cotton
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.