Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Foam, Wood
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Unknown Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Ash
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Wood
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
20th Century Turkish Rustic Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Jute, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Australian Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Bouclé
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
1960s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Copper
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Mexican Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs
Seagrass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
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.