Pouffe, tuffet or ottoman? The rise and rise of the ultimate interior multitasker

A room by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler

In the record of English furniture, the pouffe is unique. The ultimate multitasker, it can be a seat, a serving area and a stool. It comes in a range of colours, fabrics and shapes. It can be buttoned or flat on top, and sometimes reveals hidden storage.

There's even a choice of nomenclature. "We call it a firmtopped stool," says Wendy Nicholls, a director of decorating firm Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Other designers use "tuffet"; "ottoman" refers to one that opens with a hinge. Interior decorator Nina Campbell opts for "pouffe", pronounced "puff " for simplicity. Whatever its name, the rigid structure of the firm-topped stool is essential, Nicholls says.

"Otherwise you sit down for coffee and the whole lot goes flying."

Frank pouffe by Donna Wilson, £635, scp.co.uk

The pouffe began life as a lowseated, cushion-piled platform in the Ottoman Empire. Coming to Europe in the 18th century, the design was adapted, rising off the floor to become a stool. As the English country house interior decoration movement grew through the mid-20th century, so did the pouffe's reach. Now, they are de rigueur, in both town and country, and in houses of all sizes. "I recommend them to clients regularly," says interior designer Jo Hamilton. But not all styles suit all homes. "The simpler the lines, the better the piece will work in a contemporary property," she adds.

Although a deep-buttoned stool suits a period property, the giant pouffes of country house legend can be a nightmare, says interiors consultant Lady Caroline Percy. Stuffed full of horsehair, they're too heavy to move. And with curved sides, plates of sandwiches are wont to slide off into the mouth of a chancing labrador. The popular habit of deep buttoning is also troublesome, Lady Caroline says. "The only way to get dust out of the dips is to use a car hoover."

Benny ottoman, £329, swooneditions.com

Luckily, there is more to the modern pouffe than deep buttons. Not many commissioned today have the Victorian fringed and buttoned elaboration so popular 20 years ago. Modern examples range from jute cubes to wide, square benches raised off the ground. Some are knitted cotton and squishy, others are hybrid - padded coffee tables that on first glance do not resemble the traditional pouffe at all.

The Wallace, by OKA - a metalframed coffee table-cum-pouffe with an antique leather buttoned top - is one such item. It is, says OKA cofounder Sue Jones, dog-proof, childproof and a handy place to put the weekend papers.

But designers disagree about whether the pouffe should be used for storage or for show. Jones is in the latter camp, and uses a 6ft-square pink velvet deep-buttoned pouffe to divide up her drawing room. Covered in magazines, it is strictly not for storage. "It would drive me mad if it opened because I'd have to take off so much clobber," she says. "On a smaller scale there is a place for them to open, provided you get the design right."

Wallace coffee table/ottoman, £2,135, oka.com

Hamilton agrees. "For me a good pouffe is one with clean, simple lines - no fuss. Once a lid is incorporated the piece tends to look a bit busy."

Others champion the pouffe's practical qualities. "I keep scented candles in mine," says furniture designer Tim Gosling. "It does the job of a massive cupboard. When I want to get out the candles, they're all in one location." The item's versatility is helping it spread around the house, he says, such as into dressing rooms, "to sit on, so you can do your shoes up".

Asmae stool, £285, urbanoutfitters.com

The pouffe remains a firm favourite, but it's important to balance a room, Nicholls says. "If you have leggy sofas you don't need a leggy stool, as then the whole thing looks as if it's going to get up and run away."

In London houses with limited floor space, this is even more important. "Even if we're in a tiny little flat we still want to entertain at home," Gosling says. "Our furniture has to be flexible because everyone sits on each other's knees." A coffee table won't do.

"It's a different animal," adds Campbell. With a table you've got to be able to reach for what's on it, she argues. "With a stool, you've got to assume that you've two pairs of knees facing each other, so you need more space. It's not to be used in the same way as a coffee table."