Ottomans and Poufs
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Sheepskin, Wool, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Faux Fur, Foam
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
1860s European Régence Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1990s Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Leather
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Acrylic
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Ash, Walnut
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur, Upholstery, Plywood
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1940s Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
Late 19th Century Louis XVI Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
1950s American Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Cotton, Rubber
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Bouclé, Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Organic Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Maple, Lacquer
20th Century French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ottomans and Poufs
Crystal
2010s Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
19th Century Indian Antique Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Hardwood
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Oak
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Yarn
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Wood, Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
1970s Unknown Hollywood Regency Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Wood
1920s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Satin, Faux Fur, Maple
2010s Italian Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Plywood
2010s Portuguese Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Fabric
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wenge
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.








