Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Maple
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Alpaca
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Velvet, Faux Fur
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1960s British Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Beech, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Bamboo, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Alabaster, Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Shell, Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Linen
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Willow, Oak, Wood
20th Century American Adirondack Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
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.