Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Linen
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1990s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1950s Belgian Baroque Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fruitwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cane
2010s Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Natural Fiber, Organic Material
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Ebony
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Acrylic, Wood, Ash
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Laminate
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fiberglass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Faux Fur, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Other
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
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.