Ottomans and Poufs
Early 1900s French Jacobean Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Alpaca, Mohair, Maple
1970s Swiss Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1960s East Asian Kilim Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Goat Hair, Hemp, Foam, Wood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Foam, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Cotton, Linen, Faux Fur, Foam
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
1990s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Plastic
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Rattan, Bamboo
Late 20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Ash, Foam, Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Stone
1980s American Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wool
1970s Italian Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Suede
2010s American Other Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century Philippine Ottomans and Poufs
Reed
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
18th Century and Earlier Italian Louis XIII Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fruitwood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Foam
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Cotton, Velvet, Acrylic, Wood, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Rattan, Reed
1990s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
20th Century Turkish Minimalist Ottomans and Poufs
Hemp
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century 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.





