Ottomans and Poufs
Late 20th Century American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mahogany
1990s English Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Early 2000s American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1810s English Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century European Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1940s American Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century North American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1880s Italian Baroque Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Pine
1920s British Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
1920s English Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
20th Century Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
20th Century American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
19th Century English Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century British Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1940s European Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
1980s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Early 2000s French Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1820s English Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century North American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s French Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Hardwood
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.