Ottomans and Poufs
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Tulipwood, Sheepskin
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rosewood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Lambskin
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Fabric, Bouclé
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
Late 20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 1900s French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cane
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood, Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1930s Italian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Sheepskin
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary North American Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Linen, Velvet, Ash, Oak, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Teak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
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.