Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Synthetic
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other, Metal
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Oak, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Foam, Wood
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s Belgian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
Early 2000s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Feathers
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Linen
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Pine
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Alpaca
1960s French Rustic Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rope
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Teak
Late 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Oak, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s German Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s British Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Moroccan Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
1980s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Lucite
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Foam
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Nutwood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Velvet, Wool, Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
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.





