Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Bamboo
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Mohair
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Birch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, 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.