Ottomans and Poufs
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century German Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1920s Italian Rococo Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Willow, Reed, Rattan
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
1990s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s French Louis XV Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool, Oak
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1940s English Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century American Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Fabric
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Lucite
1970s English Other Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Central American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
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.