Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Wrought Iron, Steel
19th Century Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood, Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Hemp, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Velvet
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Nickel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Plywood
Late 19th Century American Adirondack Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Mahogany
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Lucite
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Macassar
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Lucite
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
1950s Danish Empire Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Danish Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1990s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Parchment Paper
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Hide, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1990s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Other
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Bouclé, Upholstery
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
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.