Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Velvet
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
20th Century Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Acrylic
20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s English Country Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Pine
20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Chenille, Wood, Oak, Leather, Mohair, Linen, Velvet, Walnut
2010s Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Marble
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Velvet
20th Century Unknown Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Stainless Steel
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Macassar
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Copper, Steel
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Naugahyde, Wood
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary North American Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille
1980s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lucite
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
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.