Ottomans and Poufs
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Fabric
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Hemp, Wool, Fabric
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood, Bouclé
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Rosewood
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1960s Turkish Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Wool, Goat Hair, Upholstery, Hemp, Natural Fiber, Foam,...
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s East Asian Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Goat Hair, Hemp, Foam, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Damask
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s European Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Suede
1950s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak, Upholstery
1960s Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Hemp, Wool
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum, Chrome
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Teak
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Pine
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
1950s Directoire Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
1950s American Adirondack Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Antler
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s American Bauhaus Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
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.