Square Ottomans
Vintage 1940s American Ottomans and Poufs
Vintage 1950s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Post-Modern Footstools
Plastic
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Wicker
Antique 19th Century American Stools
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Birch
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Antique 19th Century Cameroonian Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
20th Century Moroccan Anglo Raj Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Foam, Silk
Antique 19th Century African Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
Antique 19th Century Cameroonian Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Foam, Wood
Vintage 1950s Cameroonian Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1970s African Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Foam, Wood, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Cowhide, Foam, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Moroccan Anglo Raj Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Foam, Silk
Vintage 1970s African Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Foam, Wood, Cotton
Vintage 1950s Cameroonian Tribal Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Vintage 1970s Ottomans and Poufs
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Pearwood
20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Wood
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Square Ottomans For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Square Ottomans?
Finding the Right Ottomans And 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.
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