Ottomans and Poufs
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1930s English Chesterfield Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lacquer, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bamboo
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
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 American Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Marble
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Plywood
20th Century English Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood
Late 19th Century French Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
19th Century Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Walnut
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
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
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s British Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s English Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
19th Century British Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Yarn
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 2000s American Georgian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Rustic Ottomans and Poufs
Cowhide
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
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.