Ottomans and Poufs
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Feathers, Leather, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
20th Century Asian Anglo-Indian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rosewood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker, Cane
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Polyester
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fruitwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Cocobolo
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Wrought Iron
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Animal Skin, Wood
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Other
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
Early 2000s American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
1930s Italian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
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.