Ottomans and Poufs
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 1900s French Jacobean Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede
1960s English Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood, Oak
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Onyx
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Maple, Down
2010s American American Craftsman Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Cork
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin, Faux Leather, Foam, Maple, Walnut
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Foam, Maple
2010s Balinese Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam, Maple, Down
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam, Maple
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1940s American Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s European Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Faux Fur
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
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.