Ottomans and Poufs
1950s European Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1870s French Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Walnut
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Danish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Late 20th Century Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic, Rubber
1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century European Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood, Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Faux Fur, Maple
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Ash
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut, Cedar
2010s Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Foam
Early 20th Century French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Leather, Wood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rubber
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome, Iron
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Finnish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Ash, Canvas
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Peruvian International Style Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
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.