Ottomans and Poufs
Early 1800s Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Early 1900s Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century American Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
1950s Danish Empire Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1950s French Louis XIII Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
19th Century Belgian Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Fabric
19th Century American Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
18th Century and Earlier Italian Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Early 19th Century American Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Jacobean Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1980s Unknown Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
Late 18th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1930s Italian Empire Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century French Louis XIII Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1970s Empire Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Iron
19th Century American Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
19th Century North American Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century North American Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
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.