Ottomans and Poufs
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1940s European Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1960s French Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1990s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Parchment Paper
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
Late 20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Stone
Early 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum, Chrome
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood, Walnut
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Late 20th Century Indian Classical Greek Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Chrome
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
20th Century Indonesian Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Macassar
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1990s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
20th Century American Art Deco 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.