Ottomans and Poufs
Late 20th Century Unknown Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Mexican Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Belgian Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Feathers
1960s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Copper
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Wool, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
Early 2000s American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1980s American French Provincial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Rattan
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
19th Century Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cane, Oak
1970s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Oceanic Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Oak, Leather, Bouclé, Jacquard
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Nylon
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak, Chenille, Bouclé, Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Fiberglass
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Hide
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
2010s American Other 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.