Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Faux Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Nickel, Steel
1960s English Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
1940s American Machine Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Philippine Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet
1950s French Rustic Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Plywood
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel, Nickel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Velvet, Wicker
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Rosewood
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany, Upholstery
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Bamboo, Rattan, Polyester
1960s English Country Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wicker, Foam
Mid-20th Century Philippine Ottomans and Poufs
Reed
1960s Turkish Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Wood, Foam, Natural Fiber, Hemp, Upholstery, Goat Hair, Wool, ...
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
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.