Ottomans and Poufs
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1940s English Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille
1980s Indonesian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1940s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1940s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1980s Unknown Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s European Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1940s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1980s European Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Foam
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Patent Leather, Plastic, Wood
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas, Oak
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Walnut
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1940s Swedish Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lucite
1940s American Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Beech
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
1980s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1980s Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s English Bohemian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Upholstery, Wood
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Fiberglass, Foam
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, 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.