Ottomans and Poufs
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Spanish Industrial Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1990s Unknown Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Bohemian Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton, Wicker, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Canvas
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Late 19th Century American Adirondack Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
2010s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
1970s European Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet, Wood
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1990s Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1870s French Louis XIV Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Spanish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
1960s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Lucite
Late 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
1970s Chinese Chippendale Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
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.





