Ottomans and Poufs
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Walnut
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mahogany
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Cane
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1920s American Streamlined Moderne Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Reed, Canvas
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1940s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1940s European Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s French Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1990s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Parchment Paper
Late 20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Stone
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Early 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Rustic Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
1980s American Minimalist Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood, Plywood
1990s Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Paint
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1920s Turkmen Tribal Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
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.