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Brentwood Navy Leather and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered i...
Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Providence Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Small Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the seating options from Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection, the Ottoman is a great and way to add a flexible lounge element to your seating arrangeme...
Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Valhalla Granite Leather and Marbled Rust Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered i...
Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Small Upholstered Ottoman with Brass Base
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
About this piece Small upholstered ottoman with brass sheeting base. Solid and firm, can support heavy adult as occasional seating. Tucks easily under console tables. Vinyl on side ...
Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery

21st Century Asian Mocha Color Outdoor Indoor Handmade Floor Cushion
By iota
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
The classic crochet granny square takes a contemporary twist in this large floor cushion. Two squares form the cushion which are than sewn together with bespoke outdoor webbing. It e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Metal

Karl Springer American Mid-Century Blue Velvet and Steel Souffle Ottoman
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century 'Souffle' ottoman with blue velvet upholstery with a square gilt steel base. (Karl Springer)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet

Pair of Parsons Post Modern Milo Baughman Style Ottomans, Mid-20th Century
By Milo Baughman
Located in Basel, BS
Incredible Navy blue velour fabric, great color and wonderful sculptural shape on these original vintage Parsons ottomans. Excellent vintage condition throughout both ottomans. Pe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery

Modernist Upholstered Ottoman in Authentic Zebra Hide w/ Ebonized Walnut Base
Located in New York, NY
This dramatic modernist ottoman was realized in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. It features a solid and elegantly proportioned base with muscular volume...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Zebra Hide

Astor Square Brass Ottoman in Emerald Velvet by Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Montage, the Astor Square Ottoman is a wonderful addition to a refined interior space. This Ottoman's generous square proportions stand alone elegantly or accompanying a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Brass

Medium Tambour Ottoman by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic 'Tambour' antiqued brass and dark brown hide ottoman by Design Frères. Measures: 38 in. diameter x 16.5 in. tall (other sizes available). Upholstered on the firmer side, s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass, Steel

De Sede Leather Patchwork Ottomans
By De Sede
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large collection of patchwork leather ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede. Original soft leather with beautiful patina and age. Multiple colors, sizes and shapes available.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather

Medium Tambour Antiqued Brass and Hide Ottoman by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium 'Tambour' antiqued brass and hide ottoman by Design Frères. Upholstered firm, so also great as a coffee table, with a tray.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Faux Fur Table Stool by Allermuir
Located in Pasadena, TX
Restored faux fur table stool ottoman with aluminum legs by Allermuir. Reupholstered in a faux mink with a solid top that can serve as a table or seating. Marked with manufacturer. ...
Category

2010s North American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Aluminum

Faux Fur Table Stool by Allermuir
Faux Fur Table Stool by Allermuir
$1,520 Sale Price
20% Off
Ghidini 1961 Frame Ottoman in Cuoio Leather by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Stefano Giovannoni designs frame for Ghidini 1961, a new collection composed of sofas, armchairs, dining and coffee tables, bookshelves and cabinets. Everything starts from a simple ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Round Ottoman, Newly Upholstered in Designer Leopard Print Chenille
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Round ottoman 33-in diameter, newly upholstered in designer leopard print chenille, button-tufted on castors.
Category

Early 2000s American Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery

Cayenne Ottoman, Ocean Velvet/ High Gloss Varnish Walnut
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Violet Velvet/ High Gloss Varnish Walnut
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and Ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Evergreen Velvet/ High Gloss Varnish Walnut
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Cranberry Velvet/ High Gloss Varnish Walnut
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Ming Velvet / High Gloss Varnish Brown Solid Oak
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Earth Velvet / High Gloss Varnish Brown Solid Oak
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Evergreen Velvet/ High Gloss Varnish Brown Solid Oak
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and Ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Earth Velvet / High Gloss Varnish Walnut
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Ocean Velvet / High Gloss Varnish Brown Solid Oak
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Cayenne Ottoman, Ming Velvet/ High Gloss Varnish Walnut
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Cayenne lounge chair and ottoman are a deft homage to midcentury design. Designer Marie Burgos has taken the clean lines that defined seating designs of that era and given them a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Grey Large Sheepskin Bean Bag Cover, Australian Sheepskin - Made in Australia
By Emily Barbara
Located in Dural, AU
This long wool grey sheepskin bean bag chair cover is the must-have shaggy bean bag for anyone who wants to live in ultimate comfort. Australian, Merino sheepskin is a world class na...
Category

2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Sheepskin

Mid-Century Modern Cow Hide Upholstered Round Bench
Located in North Bergen, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern cow hide upholstered round bench or ottoman raised on a metal X-form base.
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Florence Knoll for Knoll International Brown Fabric Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular museum bench with a brown fabric upholstered square channeled seat resting on a square chrome tube frame. (FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL INTERNATIONAL).  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Small Round Ottoman with Gold Finished Base
By The Tailored Home, Jhon Ortiz
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our small round ottoman is the perfect finishing accent that can be used as extra seating. Featuring a round gold finished base, it is upholstered in a navy blue vinyl with pink cut ...
Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass

Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth / Umber Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth / Umber Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth / Umber Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ming/Chesterfield Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Ming/Chesterfield Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ming/Chesterfield Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Violet/Creme Brulee Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Violet/Creme Brulee Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Violet/Creme Brulee Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Evergreen/Umber Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Evergreen/Umber Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Evergreen/Umber Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Violet/Umber Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Violet/Umber Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Violet/Umber Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Chesterfield Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Chesterfield Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Chesterfield Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Umber Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Umber Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Umber Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Evergreen/Creme Brulee Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Ming/Creme Brulee Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Ming/Creme Brulee Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ming/Creme Brulee Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth/Chesterfield Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth/Chesterfield Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth/Chesterfield Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Evergreen/Chesterfield Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth/Creme Brulee Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth/Creme Brulee Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Earth/Creme Brulee Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Creme Brulee Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Creme Brulee Velvet
Milo Bean Ottoman, Ocean/Creme Brulee Velvet
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Medium Tambour Antiqued Brass and Hide Ottoman by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium 'Tambour' antiqued brass and hide ottoman by Design Frères. Upholstered firm, so also great as a coffee table, with a tray.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Fur Bean Bag Chair Cover taupe or Stone - Merino Sheepskin
By Emily Barbara
Located in Dural, AU
After a long day at work, there is no better way to relax than submerging into the oozing comfort of our fur bean bag chair cover. Handcrafted in Australia using the finest and ge...
Category

2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Sheepskin

Huge Leather Ottoman by Matteograssi, Italy
By Matteograssi, Kunihide Oshinomi
Located in Danville, CA
The mother of all ottomans by Kunihide Oshinomi for Matteograssi with heavy top grain leather and polished aluminum trim with chrome fluted feet. Matteograssi is one of the world's t...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Petite Brass Hairpin Ottomans in Noir Velvet by Montage
By Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
The perfect addition to any space! Wonderfully proportioned pair of ottomans upholstered in a supple Noir Velvet of the highest quality; 100% cotton. These work in a multitude of spa...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Medium Tambour Ottoman by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic 'Tambour' antiqued brass and dark brown hide ottoman by Design Frères. Measures: 38 in. diameter x 16.5 in. tall (other sizes available). Upholstered on the firmer side, s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Large Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the Inheritance Seating options, the Ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This variation is upholstered in ...
Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Dark Olive Heavy Canvas and Blackened Steel Ottoman
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed to pair with any of the inheritance seating options, the ottoman is a great addition to add a lounge element to your seating arrangement. This large variation measures 3...
Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Stay Ottoman
By Gubi Olsen, Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
Stay here, stay with me, stay relaxed, stay and read…The small Stay lounge chair, with options for a returning swivel function, has a sculptural and organic shape that, besides from ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Stay Ottoman
Stay Ottoman
$2,314 / item
Milo Bean Ottoman
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Milo Bean, you can sit on it, lean against it, and carry it. This fun, colorful, curvy design by Marie Burgos may be the ultimate in portable seating. Crafted in plush fabrics wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...

Materials

Fabric

Milo Bean Ottoman
Milo Bean Ottoman
$1,764 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Medium Tambour Ottoman by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic 'Tambour' antiqued brass and dark brown hide ottoman by Design Frères. 38 in. diameter x 16.5 in. tall (other sizes available). Upholstered on the firmer side, so it can a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Medium Tambour Antiqued Brass and Hide Ottoman by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium 'Tambour' antiqued brass and hide ottoman by Design Frères. Upholstered firm, so also great as a coffee table, with a tray.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Steel

Handsome Pair of Milo Baughman Style Chrome Leg Ottoman Stools
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome pair of Milo Baughman style chrome leg ottoman stools.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Chrome

Large-Scale Leather and Brass Ottoman by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A large-scale leather and heavy brass ottoman designed by Karl Springer. Newly reupholster in a distressed gray leather. The round heavy brass bottom has hidden wheels, making movi...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass

Pair, Club Shaped Wool Bouclé Upholstery Ottoman Footstool Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Ottoman, Footstool, Pouf on black plastic gliders. Mid-Century Modern Design made in the late 20th Century
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Bouclé, Foam, Wood

Olivia Pouf
By Pier Luigi Frighetto by Black Tie
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant stool is made in beechwood with padding in polyurethane foam with a top button-padded cushion upholstered in non-removable fabric or leather. The legs are in solid wood ...
Category

2010s Italian Stools

Materials

Beech, Leather

Olivia Pouf
Olivia Pouf
$2,590 / item
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Black Poufs For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of black poufs available for sale. The range of distinct black poufs — often made from fabric, animal skin and leather — can elevate any home. We have 327 antique and vintage black poufs in-stock, while there are 318 modern editions to choose from as well. Black poufs have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Black poufs bearing Modern or Mid-Century Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made black poufs over the years, but those made by De Sede, iota and Artefatto Design Studio are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Black Poufs?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $1,803, while they’re typically $247 on the low end and $24,000 highest priced.

Finding the Right Ottomans-poufs for You

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.