Ottomans and Poufs
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Mexican International Style Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Polyester, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood, Oak
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Polyester, Wood
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam, Maple, Down
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Walnut
2010s Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Pine
2010s Italian Greek Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin, Faux Leather, Foam, Maple, Walnut
1960s English Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Maple, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Foam, Maple
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American American Craftsman Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Cork
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Jute
Late 20th Century Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Onyx
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam, Maple
2010s European Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1940s American Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1680s English William and Mary Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Silver, Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fur, Fabric, Upholstery, Elm
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Natural Fiber, Foam, Polyester, Wood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Faux Fur
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, 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.