Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1890s English Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
19th Century British Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s English Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Yarn
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1930s Scandinavian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Jute
Early 2000s American Georgian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Rustic Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Leather
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Late 20th Century American Rustic Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Birch
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Upholstery, Velvet, Lacquer
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
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.