Ottomans and Poufs
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Foam
2010s Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
1990s American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Canadian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
1990s Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Cotton, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Hardwood, Teak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Steel
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Palisander, Sycamore
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Foil
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Marble
2010s American International Style Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1880s Italian Baroque Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
1960s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Velvet, Ebony, Maple
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Lucite
2010s Canadian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
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.