Ottomans and Poufs
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Cotton, Maple
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1990s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Parchment Paper
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Nickel
Late 19th Century Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fruitwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Late 19th Century Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1990s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1970s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century French Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Oak
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
19th Century Southeast Asian Anglo-Indian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wicker, Foam
Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1990s Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Paint
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
1980s Neoclassical Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Giltwood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Velvet
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic, Rubber
Early 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1880s French Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Giltwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Zebra Hide
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Velvet
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Indian Classical Greek Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1980s Moroccan Tribal Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Polyester
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.