Ottomans and Poufs
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Leather
20th Century American Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Fabric
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bamboo
1960s American Rustic Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Birch, Upholstery
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Suede
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam, Birdseye Maple, Maple, Walnut, Beads
2010s American Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Leather
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
2010s Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s American Industrial Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas, Hardwood, Reclaimed Wood
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Bouclé
1970s Philippine Bohemian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Rattan
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
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.