Ottomans and Poufs
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Wool, Wood
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Birch
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker, Cane
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas, Plywood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood, Fabric
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 2000s American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Nickel
1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Bronze
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Teak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Rattan
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
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.