Ottomans and Poufs
2010s German Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Faux Fur, Foam, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Velvet
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Hickory, Leather
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Natural Fiber, Foam, Polyester, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Wool, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Teak
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bentwood
2010s Turkish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Onyx, Marble, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Ash
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
Early 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
20th Century American Adirondack Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Giltwood
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Maple
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Faux Fur, Foam, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Faux Fur, Wood, Hardwood
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Beech
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Silver, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Natural Fiber, Foam, Polyester, Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s French Louis XIII Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Ash
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
Early 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric, Bouclé
2010s French 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.