Ottomans and Poufs
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Dutch Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope, Wood
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1990s French Space Age Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
2010s European Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
Late 20th Century European Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
1930s English Chesterfield Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Oak
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lacquer, Wood
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood, Hardwood, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Teak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s European Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
19th Century Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Reclaimed Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
Late 19th Century French Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
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.