Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mohair, Velvet, Acrylic, Wood
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s French Louis XIII Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Mahogany
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Birch
2010s American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Upholstery, Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Macassar
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Velvet
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century English Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Textile
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Nickel
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
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.