Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Ash
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Early 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Ash
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
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
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1910s English William IV Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1950s French Louis XIII Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak, Wood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Sheepskin
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
20th Century American Adirondack Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Upholstery
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Birch
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Hemp, Wood
1980s Neoclassical Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Stone
1960s Italian French Provincial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency 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.