Ottomans and Poufs
1830s English William IV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Foam
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak, Papercord
20th Century Turkish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Goat Hair
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Paper
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Upholstery
1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Indian Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Lucite
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Natural Fiber
1980s Indonesian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Polyester
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Sheepskin
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wool, Wood, Walnut
19th Century British Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Early 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Naugahyde
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Feathers
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Ash, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, 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.