Ottomans and Poufs
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Lucite
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Lacquer
1960s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wicker, Foam
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s Portuguese Other Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Other
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Oak
2010s Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1990s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s German Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s German Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Nickel
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Velvet, Faux Fur
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, PVC
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bamboo, Straw, Cane, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American 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.