Ottomans and Poufs
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak, Willow
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Willow, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wenge, Faux Leather, Teak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood, Bouclé
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Damask
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Giltwood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Willow
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Teak
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Rosewood
1950s Napoleon III Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Walnut
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Other
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak, Upholstery
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Fabric, Oak
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak, Upholstery
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Paint, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Canvas, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak, Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Maple
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Hardwood
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.