Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fir
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1990s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Foam
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Macassar
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Silk
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Plywood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Faux Fur, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s Italian Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Twig, Hemp, Velvet, Jacquard
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Unknown Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
1960s French Baroque Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Feathers
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
1970s French Provincial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Damask
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, 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.