Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Reed
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan
1960s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cane, Reed
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
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.