Ottomans and Poufs
1990s European Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1990s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Moroccan Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Late 20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Late 20th Century Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plastic
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s North American Ottomans and Poufs
Ultrasuede, Cotton
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome, Steel
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bamboo
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s North American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Mohair
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1980s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1980s Indonesian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Chinese British Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool, Oak
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plastic
1990s English Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Unknown Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1990s French Space Age Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Late 20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
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.