Orange European Ottomans and Poufs
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
2010s French Ottomans and Poufs
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and...
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Terracotta
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Fir, Plywood, PVC
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Steel, Brass
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
1990s Italian Other Ottomans and Poufs
Wool
2010s Italian Stools
Metal, Brass
1990s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1950s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
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Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
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Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
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21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Stainless Steel, Metal
2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Composition
Vintage 1970s Italian Tea Sets
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Table Lamps
Murano Glass
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Fabric, Foam
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Faux Leather
2010s Belgian Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cement, Composition, Limestone
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
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21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Console Tables
Brass
2010s American Modern Side Tables
Granite, Marble, Metal
20th Century Italian Books
Paper
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
2010s Dutch Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Spanish Other Ottomans and Poufs
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam, Paint
Vintage 1970s British Benches
Leather, Pine
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Benches
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century European Modern Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Chairs
Leather
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
2010s Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
2010s Spanish Ottomans and Poufs
Wicker
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1950s Italian Benches
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Rattan
Vintage 1960s Danish Lounge Chairs
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Antique 1670s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1960s French Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Leather
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Vintage 1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Ash, Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1930s Austrian Stools
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Foam
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century British Ottomans and Poufs
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Armchairs
Maple, Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Orange European Ottomans and Poufs For Sale on 1stDibs
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Finding the Right Ottomans and Poufs for You
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.
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