Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
1960s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
2010s European Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Laminate
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Gold
2010s Italian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s Spanish Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Dutch Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Straw
2010s Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s English Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Ash
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
2010s Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Fabric, Textile, Wool, Bouclé, Velvet, Faux Fur, Ash
2010s Italian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Velvet, Fabric
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Silver Leaf
2010s European Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Linen, Cotton
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak, Walnut
1850s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
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.