Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Brocade, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Laminate, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fabric, Leather
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Hide
Late 19th Century Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s Dutch Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Upholstery, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1990s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
1870s French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
2010s Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Silk
1960s Brazilian Brutalist Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Giltwood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century American Georgian Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Other Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Brass
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s English Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1940s English Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf
2010s Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1940s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Laminate
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, 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.