Ottomans and Poufs
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic, Rubber
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
1990s Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Acrylic, Faux Fur, Lucite
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
19th Century German Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s European Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Indonesian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Fabric
Late 20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plastic
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Spanish Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
1990s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Hardwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Pottery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1830s American Art Deco Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Nickel
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century European Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s Italian Minimalist Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Patent Leather
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1870s English Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1850s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1810s English Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
1980s English Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
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.