Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Foam, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Satin, Walnut
1950s Indian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Teak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
Early 1900s French Jacobean Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood, Plywood
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
1950s American Victorian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Hickory
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Swedish Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
PVC, Fir, Plywood
Late 20th Century American Georgian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam
Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Poplar
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Swedish Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Canvas, Wood
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.