Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Dutch Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Pine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Lacquer
1870s French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Laminate
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plastic
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Maple
2010s North American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metallic Thread
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Maple, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Louis XIV Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Birch
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
18th Century French Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 20th Century European Rococo Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, 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.