Ottomans and Poufs
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Walnut
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Cedar, Paint, Faux Fur
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé, Lucite
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Bouclé
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Beech, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Linen
Late 20th Century Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Silk, Velvet
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Plywood, Teak, Plastic
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Iron, Metal
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker, Rattan
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut, Velvet, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Iron
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Rattan
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chenille, Oak, Leather, Bouclé, Jacquard
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Composition
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Hardwood
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Willow, Reed, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Ash, Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Rush
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Pine
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux 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.