Ottomans and Poufs
1990s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
19th Century British William IV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Giltwood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Late 20th Century Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Neoclassical Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
1860s European Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Hide, Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Birch
1980s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lucite
1990s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Plastic, Rubber
1980s Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century American Adirondack Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1820s American American Classical Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Resin, Plastic
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
19th Century French Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
19th Century Belgian Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Fabric
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Wood
1990s European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
1970s European Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
Mid-19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1840s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Birch
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
1980s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
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.