Left – Turquoise Pouf designed by Looping Home / Right – Belham Living Milo Ottoman via Hayneedle
The terms pouf and ottoman are often used interchangeably despite the fact that they’re actually two different things.
Left – Puff Daddy DIY Pouf by Pickles / Right – Souffle Ottoman by Kelly Wearstler
What makes a pouf a pouf? Poufs are basically large cushions that are typically meant to be placed on the floor as a foot rest, but can also be used in a number of other ways. For example, if you add a tray or flat piece of wood, they can also be used as small table.
Turquoise Pouf designed by Looping Home
What sets poufs apart from their ottoman counterpart is that they’re made of only fabric and stuffing, and they don’t have any legs.
Tillary Ottoman by West Elm
Ottomans, on the other hand, are defined by their framework and stumpy little legs.
Cavett Ottoman from Crate&Barrel
So here’s the bottom line: if it’s got legs, it’s probably an ottoman. If it doesn’t have legs, it’s more likely a pouf.
