Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Reed
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Hardwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Composition
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Naugahyde, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Feathers
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Reed
1980s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
1950s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Naugahyde, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern 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.