Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Chenille, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bamboo, Straw, Cane, Rattan
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Silk
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1920s American Streamlined Moderne Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Reed, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plywood, PVC, Fir
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
Mid-20th Century South American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Chrome
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Stainless Steel
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Synthetic
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Stainless Steel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Upholstery
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur
1820s French Charles X Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Maple
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Walnut
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Marble
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century French Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Gold, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fiberglass
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.