Ottomans and Poufs
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
2010s American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Fiberglass
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1990s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Velvet
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Plywood
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
19th Century German Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Italian French Provincial Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Alabaster, Bronze
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rosewood
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool, Oak
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1960s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1960s French Louis XV Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Australian Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
2010s Balinese Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Iron
1950s English Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Beech
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Laminate
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1990s Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Tulipwood, Sheepskin
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
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.