Ottomans and Poufs
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1990s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Early 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Mahogany
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
Late 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Satin
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Suede
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Other
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
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.