Ottomans and Poufs
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Metal
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rope, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood, Foam
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood, Foam
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather, Walnut, Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Upholstery, Leather, Wood
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Birch
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome, Metal
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome, Metal
20th Century North American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Rope
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Plywood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Metal
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Fabric
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
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.