Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Walnut
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
2010s German Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet, Acrylic, Wood
20th Century Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Maple, Walnut
20th Century European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Birch
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Mahogany
2010s American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Beech, Textile
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Beech
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Macassar
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
1910s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1930s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Beech, Spruce, Fabric
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cherry
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Macassar
1830s American Art Deco Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Nickel
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Maple
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Palisander
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, 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.