Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Foam, Wood, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Nylon
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Glass
2010s Oceanic Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
2010s Oceanic Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cedar, Paint, Faux Fur
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut, Cedar
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Maple
2010s Italian Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Brutalist Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Lead
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Portuguese Other Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool
2010s Portuguese Other Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Cane, Rosewood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Ash, Oak, Walnut
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.