Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Antler, Sheepskin, Fur, Horn
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Feathers, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Bentwood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Foam, Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Beech
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1980s Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Walnut
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary British Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Linen
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1950s American Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1970s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Rope, Foam, Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Nylon
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Linen, Velvet, Ash, Oak, Walnut
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Suede
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Velvet, Wool, Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Nylon
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary North American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Glass
Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Revival Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1990s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel, Nickel
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Fruitwood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Pine
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.





