Ottomans and Poufs
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Fabric
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Wool, Wood
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Natural Fiber
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Foam
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Feathers
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Fabric
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Rattan
20th Century Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
19th Century Indian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1920s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Jacquard
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Bouclé, Fabric
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
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.