Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Beech
1860s English High Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Velvet
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
Early 20th Century French Provincial Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
20th Century French Louis XIV Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood, Walnut, Linen
1990s Chinese British Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mahogany
1990s English Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Pine
20th Century Indonesian Chippendale Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Natural Fiber
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
20th Century British Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bentwood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1960s American Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Upholstery
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plastic
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bamboo
2010s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Polyester
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1990s European Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
20th Century Unknown Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Foam, Wood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1960s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
2010s Austrian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
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.