Ottomans and Poufs
Early 1900s French Jacobean Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 1900s Adam Style Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
Early 1900s Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Brass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Steel
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Plywood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Foam, Birdseye Maple, Maple, Walnut, Beads
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Reclaimed Wood
1960s French Louis XV Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
1880s French Louis XV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Other Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery
Early 2000s American Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Oak, Wood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood, Satinwood
Early 1900s Polish Rustic Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
Early 1900s Scandinavian French Provincial Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s French Arts and Crafts Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Tapestry
Early 1900s French Art Deco Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Satin, Wood
Early 1900s French Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Linen, Foam, Polyester, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, 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.