Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Maple
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
20th Century Georgian Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Foam, Maple
2010s Portuguese Other Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
1970s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Hide, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Polyester, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Down, Feathers, Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Country Ottomans and Poufs
Hide, Maple
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Suede
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Papercord, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1980s European Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Faux Fur, Jacquard, Wood, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Faux Fur, Maple
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
1960s Unknown Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Linen, Maple, Lacquer
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.





