Ottomans and Poufs
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
1960s Turkish Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Wood, Foam, Natural Fiber, Hemp, Upholstery, Goat Hair, Wool, ...
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Upholstery, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Natural Fiber, Foam, Polyester, Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
Early 2000s American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Thread, Oak
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Linen
1990s Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Paint
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Faux Fur
1960s Brazilian Brutalist Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
1680s English William and Mary Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Antler, Horn, Fur, Sheepskin
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Faux Fur, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s German Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather, Walnut, Upholstery
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Giltwood
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.