How to choose an Ottoman for your living room or another room of the House
Of all the types of furniture for the living room, the ottoman is the most overlooked. Ottomans, also known as hassocks, poufs, and foot stools, are for the savviest and fashionable items of designers, which can make a big difference in any sized room. Because an ottoman is small, it is normally less expensive to make and buy than a chair, and is an ideal piece to start experimenting with.
You can buy an ottoman along with a matching chair, such as a Saarinen womb chair, or you can buy an ottoman for a chair you currently own that does not have one. Ottomans come in various shapes, sizes, fabrics, and colors. What colors may be bright and showy for one large type of furniture may look ideal for an ottoman.
An ottoman is best known as a foot rest, as a user is sitting in a chair. It can, however, serve more purposes than just that. Big ottomans can be used as chairs themselves, even loveseats if desired. Grab your mate and sit in front of the TV on a comfy ottoman. Ottomans can be used as a coffee table, although not every ottoman makes for a good one. Buy an ottoman that doesn’t move on the floor and has a firm top, like one that is made of leather and you are able to put a drink on it as you sit and relax in your chair. You can also put an ottoman in other rooms of your house for far different purposes. Place an ottoman along a wall in the hallway to serve as a seat to put shoes on.
There are a select number of ottomans you can also use for storage, if you want an ottoman that is even more versatile. In most cases, the seat also acts as a giant lid. Flip the seat open to reveal a large space inside the ottoman in which you can put things inside, such as remotes, blankets, DVDs, games, controllers, and magazines.
There are many different kinds of ottomans available to buy. They vary in shape, from traditional rectangles, to cubes, to ones that resemble low benches. They can have tall legs, short legs, or even no legs whatsoever. Ottomans can also be round, tufted, or skirted. What you choose to buy depends on how you intend to use it, as well as the space you have remaining in your desired room.
The ottoman gives you a great opportunity to curb your enthusiasm, but as always, you need a design that is cohesive with the rest of your room. An elegant looking ottoman will not fare well in a modern looking living room, so it’s important to narrow down your search for the best ottoman you could buy for it.
For fabric, you need to consider two qualities of an ottoman: visual appeal and durability. You may choose an ottoman that matches a sofa or chair, such as a Saarinen womb chair. This is quite the popular choice, as matching colors and styles, of course, go great together in a room. A contrasting color is also a fine choice, such as a forest green ottoman with a neutral tan leather chair.
Ottomans are primarily used for putting a person’s feet on, so you need to be sure that the one you purchase is a sturdy one with short, wooden legs. An ottoman with a heavy upholstery fabric is a great option, and should you decide to go this route, pre-treating the ottoman is ideal if you also want to put coffee on it.