Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Polyester, Plastic
20th Century English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1910s English William IV Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Foam, Polyester, Birch
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Natural Fiber
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Birch, Plywood
Late 20th Century Moroccan Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Natural Fiber, Foam, Polyester, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
1750s Italian Rococo Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Stone
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Turkish Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Wool, Goat Hair, Hemp
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Jacquard, Velvet, Hemp, Twig
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Maple, Lacquer
1960s Turkish Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Wood, Foam, Natural Fiber, Hemp, Upholstery, Goat Hair, Wool, ...
Early 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Foam, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Birch
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.