Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
2010s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Leather
Early 20th Century Tudor Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary North American Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Linen, Velvet, Ash, Oak, Walnut
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Canadian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Plexiglass, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
2010s Mexican International Style Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Polyester, Hardwood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
Late 20th Century American William and Mary Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Teak
1950s French Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Birch
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Mexican Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Katalox
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Upholstery, Velvet, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood, Oak
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.