Ottomans and Poufs
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Maple, Foam
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Upholstery
Early 1900s English Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cedar, Paint, Faux Fur
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Hide
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fiberglass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s Australian Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Bauhaus Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé
Late 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass, Mirror, Polystyrene
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown Rustic Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool
Early 20th Century Unknown Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stone, Cement, Marble, Iron
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
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.