Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Australian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Wood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Colombian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Mexican Country Ottomans and Poufs
Rush, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Foam, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Early 2000s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Foam, Plywood
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Macassar
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut, Bouclé
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Faux Fur, Ash
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic, Polyester
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut, Bouclé
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Linen
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Sheepskin
Early 2000s American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Teak
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Walnut
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bouclé, Chenille, Jacquard, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Upholstery, Lacquer, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Linen, 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.