Ottomans are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture in a living room. They can be a footrest for a sofa or armchair, an extra seat, a coffee table, or even a stool.
Ottomans do it all. Ideally, ottomans are paired with a seat, but that’s not always necessary. If you need it to multi-task, that’s cool too. Don’t let selecting and incorporating an ottoman into your home decor be a stumper.
Loosen up and let your creativity fly. Here are a few things to think about to help get your design started.
Style
The style of the room should help inform the decision on the style of the ottoman. Classically styled rooms can benefit from a traditional square upholstered ottoman.
A leather ottoman looks great in a natural, more rustically styled decor. In a neutral space, the sky is the limit. You can go bold and daring or you can choose something muted and subtle. The shape and material of the ottoman can be whatever’s clever.
For a more modern look, stick to clean lines and minimalistic touches. And because these furnishings come in such variety, feel free to play around with textures, tufting, carved legs, studding, and patterns.
Shape
There are many different shapes and ottoman can take. As long as it has a flat top surface, it can be an ottoman. Keep in mind what appeals to you and what your main purpose for the ottoman is when choosing a shape.
If you have a larger sofa or are looking to have it double as a coffee table, a larger ottoman will probably be best. It could be a square, circular, or even rectangle. The choice is yours. Consider the space that you’re working with.
Your ottoman shouldn’t be the largest thing in the room, and you do want space to get around in your space, so be mindful. If you’re looking to add some more interest, try one that has an artistic, open, metal base with a round top.
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Function
In family rooms and other rooms where function really matters, it’s important to choose an ottoman based on what you need it to do. For instance, in small space living or heavily trafficked areas, an ottoman that doubles as storage could be an absolute game changer.
Use it to house blankets, family games, remote controls, children’s toys, or whatever else you desire to stash out of view. If you’re looking for something that can be dual-purpose, then consider going as large as your space will allow so that you can use it to seat multiple persons and maybe even a pair of feet.
As soft as a circle can be, they cut corners; therefore they provide less surface area. So, keep this in mind when you’re narrowing down your choices. When it comes to ottomans, there’s not really a wrong way to do it as long as you love the look.
You can even spring for multiple ottomans if the space and layout allow. Remember, design is an extension of you and the environment you want to create in your home. Don’t stray too far from the other furniture in the room, but something like an ottoman makes a great accent piece.
