Ottomans and Poufs
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
19th Century Italian Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fruitwood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hide, Maple
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1980s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 1800s Empire Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Stainless Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Hardwood, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s British Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Agate
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Maple
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Faux Fur, Maple
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Faux Fur, Maple
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Faux Fur, Maple
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Elm, Walnut, Pine, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Ash, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Mexican Country Ottomans and Poufs
Rush, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1980s Indonesian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Rush, Wood, Oak
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fruitwood
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Acrylic, Polyester
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
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.