Ottomans and Poufs
1990s European Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Australian Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s European Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Foam
2010s American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Lambskin
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s French Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
20th Century Unknown Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Macassar
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Bouclé, Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Oak
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1990s North American Ottomans and Poufs
Ultrasuede, Cotton
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.