Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Spanish Industrial Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Turkish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Goat Hair
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cherry
2010s Spanish Industrial Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1850s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1950s American Adirondack Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Antler
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Mahogany
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Cocobolo
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century French Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Burl, Beads
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
19th Century British Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Yarn
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Birch
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Faux Fur, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Belgian Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
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.