Ottomans and Poufs
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
1890s English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century British Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century British Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
19th Century Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Walnut
20th Century English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century European Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Syrian Early Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Early 20th Century European Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Thread, Oak
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Mahogany
19th Century Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1880s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
20th Century English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Mahogany
1940s English Victorian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1870s French Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Pine
1880s Indian Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century French Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Burl, Beads
19th Century American Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet
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.