Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin, Faux Leather, Foam, Maple, Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Sheepskin
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Yarn
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 2000s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
1960s Brazilian Brutalist Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Walnut
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Modern Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s North American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Linen, Polyester
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Wool, Bouclé, Oak
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp, Oak
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Katalox
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
1940s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s North American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Swiss Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
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.