Ottomans and Poufs
19th Century Belgian Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Fabric
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1860s European Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Other
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1940s European Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1870s French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
1870s English Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Ormolu
1850s American Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1890s English Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
19th Century English Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
Late 19th Century English Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
19th Century American Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet
1940s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sycamore
1820s French Charles X Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Maple
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
1830s American Art Deco Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Nickel
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
1940s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1820s American American Classical Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
19th Century French Antique Ottomans and Poufs
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1940s Swedish Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
Late 19th Century Queen Anne Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood
1890s French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
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.