Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Foam, Wood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Down
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
19th Century British Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Plywood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Ottomans and Poufs
Jute, Rattan
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plywood, Poplar, Suede
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Walnut, Ash
1970s European Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
2010s Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wool, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Mexican Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Pine
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Nickel, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
Late 19th Century French Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cherry, Spruce
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Nickel
1960s American Rustic Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
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.