Ottomans and Poufs
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1990s American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Lambskin
1990s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Mohair
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Elm, Walnut, Pine, Burl
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood
1990s Chinese British Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1990s English Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1990s European Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
Early 20th Century French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
1990s French Space Age Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Linen, Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Velvet
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 20th Century Unknown Rustic Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Upholstery, Muslin
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Muslin, Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1920s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Cotton, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1990s North American Ottomans and Poufs
Ultrasuede, Cotton
1920s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silver
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1990s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Early 20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Silk
Early 20th Century European Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
Early 1900s French Baroque Revival Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Tudor Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
1990s American Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Early 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1920s Indonesian Folk Art Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Padouk
1990s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1990s Rococo Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1920s Chippendale Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Beech
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
Early 1900s French Jacobean Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1990s Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Paint, Wood
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Ottomans and Poufs
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.