Ottomans are awesome! There are so many uses and configurations of ottomans that you should know about. They originally were designed as footstools, and that is their most common use, but the shapes and sizes make them a versatile piece to have in your home. An ottoman can be purchased as a set with an armchair or loveseat in the same fabric or leather, but also can be purchased at a later time to update the look in room. You can find them in leather, denim, chenille, wood and leather and metal and leather - great combinations to fit almost any room design.
Many ottomans are footed or have a solid base, but some are on wheels, making it easy to "pull up an ottoman" for a chat, roll across the room to use as a foot rest or push into a corner during a party or get together. Here are a few tips for use when buying an ottoman.
Storage Cubes Ottoman
1. Use an ottoman for a dining room table seating. This idea works well to open a dining room so that the chair backs don't block a lovely table view or window view outside. You may use just one loveseat sized ottoman or two or three smaller versions. It works much like a bench or stools and can be located in the breakfast nook or a formal dining room. The material covering the ottoman should match the same style as the dining table.
2. A versatile coffee table is an ottoman with a tray on top. Try using an ottoman as a living room table where you may place the TV remote, magazines or drink glasses. This can be the casual way to keep your home to be replaced with a lightweight coffee table when you have company.
3. Buy more than one ottoman. One ottoman may not be enough if more than one person likes to prop their feet while reading the paper or watching television, especially if you do not have a reclining sofa. You can either use two matching ottomans or different fabrics or leather colors as long as it matches the style of the room. Don't do the double or triple pairs though - it's not a great idea to have two ottomans, two chairs and two side tables that match. Two pairs is the max for matching for a room.
4. Double duty ottomans. - Because ottomans are typically large cubes, many times they can serve as storage compartments for throws, extra pillows and magazines. Some lids are two pieces with a flat piece of wood set into a frame and a leather cushion on top, while other ottomans are wicker or vinyl with a hinged lid.
If you are considering buying an ottoman for a foot rest, good for you. When you want to have a resourceful piece of furniture in your home that doesn't cost too much but adds plenty of fashion, think about buying an ottoman!