Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cherry
1970s Indonesian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Rattan
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
Early 2000s French Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary English Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Feathers, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech, Ash, Rubber
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Cotton, Maple
2010s Italian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Louis XIV Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 1900s Adam Style Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Antler, Hide, Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Pine
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary North American Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut, Oak, Ash, Velvet, Linen
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.