Ottomans and Poufs
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Feathers
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Mahogany
1990s French Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Parchment Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Bentwood
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Travertine
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cane
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Rush
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ottomans and Poufs
Crystal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Rattan
2010s South African Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Faux Fur, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Alpaca, Oak
Mid-20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Hickory, Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Rosewood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
Late 20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plastic
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Macassar
Early 2000s Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
1980s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1910s French Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century Southeast Asian Anglo-Indian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
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.





