Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
19th Century American American Classical Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Stoneware, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Linen
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Velvet
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Velvet, Faux Fur, Ash
2010s Belgian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
19th Century Spanish Renaissance Revival Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut, Trimming, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Foam, Wood, Oak
2010s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wool, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
PVC, Fir, Plywood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Oceanic Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Australian Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood, Oak
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
20th Century European Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Shell, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Oak
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Glass
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
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.