Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Birch
20th Century American Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Fabric
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet, Oak
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Tulipwood, Sheepskin
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Fabric, Bouclé
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
Late 20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Birch
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Oceanic Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric, Foam
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
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.