Ottomans and Poufs
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Beech, Leather
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Hide
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary North American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1870s French Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1990s Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
19th Century British William IV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Acrylic
2010s Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
20th Century Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Beech
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Plywood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1820s American American Classical Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood, Oak, Leather, Fabric
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Other
1860s European Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
1950s Danish Empire Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Belgian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut, Cedar
1980s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lucite
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wool, Wood, Walnut
2010s Turkish Kilim Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
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.