Ottomans and Poufs
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Sapele Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Yarn
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Hardwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Polyester
Early 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Paint
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Textile
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Ash
1960s European Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Leather
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Ash, Walnut
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1990s North American Ottomans and Poufs
Ultrasuede, Cotton
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Lucite
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Faux Fur, Maple
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
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.