Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Rosewood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Nickel, Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Lucite
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Bamboo
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
2010s Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Maple, Down
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Hardwood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Walnut
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Suede, Fabric, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
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.