Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bamboo
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome, Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Nickel
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Elm, Walnut, Pine, Burl
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Mohair
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Beech, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Mexican Country Ottomans and Poufs
Rush, Wood
1950s North American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
20th Century British Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood, Leather
20th Century Unknown Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s Indonesian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Upholstery
1940s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s Chinese British Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s Ecuadorean Spanish Colonial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Jacaranda
20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mahogany
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plastic
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.