Ottomans and Poufs
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Other
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Hickory, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Lacquer, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood, Sheepskin
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Maple, Foam
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
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.