Ottomans and Poufs
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sapele Wood
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut, Alpaca, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Oak, Leather, Faux Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester
2010s Danish Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Wood, Ash
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Alpaca, Bouclé, Sapele Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s German Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fruitwood
1960s European Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
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.








