Ottomans and Poufs
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Feathers
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1990s American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
2010s Panamanian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Panamanian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1950s French Louis XIII Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Panamanian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Panamanian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Velvet
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
19th Century Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century American Adirondack Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wool, Wood
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1960s Italian French Provincial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Hemp, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Upholstery
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Chinese Chippendale Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
2010s European Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Early 1900s Adam Style Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
2010s Belgian Brutalist Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Metal
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Mahogany
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.