Ottomans and Poufs
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Polystyrene
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bouclé, Velvet, Faux Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Velvet
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Upholstery
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bentwood
2010s Turkish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Onyx, Marble, Brass
2010s Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Wood, Pine, Paint
1960s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Bauhaus Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Hickory, Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Birch
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Teak
Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Revival Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bouclé, Velvet, Faux Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Copper, Iron
Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wicker
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
2010s Turkish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Marble, Brass
2010s Panamanian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Velvet
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1920s Chippendale Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
Early 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Maple
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Foam, Polystyrene, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Giltwood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
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.