Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak, Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Linen, Velvet, Ash, Oak, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Great Britain (UK) Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wool, Feathers, Down
Early 1900s French Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Faux Fur
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century North American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wood
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Syrian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Ecuadorean Spanish Colonial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Jacaranda
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century British Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Austrian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
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.