Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Early 2000s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rope, Wood
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Plaster
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam, Maple
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Country Ottomans and Poufs
Hide, Maple
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
1990s European Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Birch, Upholstery
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Velvet, Faux Fur
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak, Papercord
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Great Britain (UK) Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s North American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Bohemian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak, Walnut
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Sheepskin
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s Swiss Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
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.