Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s North American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Velvet, Faux Fur
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Velvet
1980s Moroccan Tribal Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Jacquard
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century European Rococo Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1930s Dutch Industrial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Burl
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Synthetic
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Lacquer, Maple
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Cotton, Velvet, Latex
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Sheepskin
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s French Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
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.