Ottomans and Poufs
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Onyx
Early 1900s French Baroque Revival Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
1980s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
1990s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Bamboo, Rattan, Polyester
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
1920s Indonesian Folk Art Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Padouk
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Suede, Fabric, Wood
1940s American Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s French Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Leather, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1980s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Faux Fur
1990s Rococo Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Late 20th Century Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wicker, Foam
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Fruitwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
1980s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Spanish Brutalist Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
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.