Ottomans and Poufs
1970s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Chesterfield Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1990s European Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
1970s Swiss Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Leather
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Hickory
1970s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s North American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Bouclé, Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Chinese Chippendale Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century American Georgian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Bronze
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Suede, Leather
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
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.