Ottomans and Poufs
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Faux Fur
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak, Chenille, Bouclé, Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Cane, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Late 20th Century American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s Unknown Bohemian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Late 20th Century Italian Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Giltwood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Hemp
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Alpaca, Bouclé, Sapele Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Oak
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Early 2000s American Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Early 2000s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Cotton
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary English Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Ultrasuede, Lucite
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Yarn
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century Afghan Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wood
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
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.