Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool, Oak
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Beech
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Suede
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome, Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Foam, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Pine
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Lucite
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
19th Century Mid-Century Modern Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
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.