Ottomans and Poufs
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak, Willow
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s English Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Ash
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1980s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Asian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Poplar
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
1970s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Ash, Upholstery, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Willow
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s American International Style Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Turkish Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Goat Hair, Hemp, Foam, Wood, Fabric
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.