Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Synthetic
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Linen
20th Century American Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
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 Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Birch
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Foam
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
Early 2000s American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1930s Italian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s Portuguese Other Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Linen
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
2010s Australian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Alpaca
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Turkish Bohemian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, 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.