Decorating
Game Changers: How to Use Ottomans to Your Advantage
Versatile, practical and, not to mention, pretty, take a look at how ottomans can boost all areas of the house
It doesn’t matter whether you have vast amounts of space within your home or not, there’s definitely an ottoman to suit. Who wouldn’t love a beautiful piece of furniture you can sit on, put your feet up on, tuck away or make into a feature, or even store copious amounts of ‘things’ in – it is the quintessential multitasking addition to your room So here’s a quick rundown to finding the right one for your space, or simply finding the excuse to run out and get one, stat!
Coordinating your room
Ottomans are a fantastic way of bringing in a beautiful pattern or colour into your space. You can have fun with reupholstering the whole piece in one fabric, or playing around with velvets, suedes and leathers for the top, and a patterned fabric for the base. Bring some complementary cushions into the room and the whole look can be nicely tied in together.
Ottomans are a fantastic way of bringing in a beautiful pattern or colour into your space. You can have fun with reupholstering the whole piece in one fabric, or playing around with velvets, suedes and leathers for the top, and a patterned fabric for the base. Bring some complementary cushions into the room and the whole look can be nicely tied in together.
More is more
Why not look at grouping a small collection of ottomans to create a large centrepiece table, as is done here by combining four quilted ottomans? This is a great idea for entertaining, or filling up a vast space, and you can always separate them for additional seating.
Why not look at grouping a small collection of ottomans to create a large centrepiece table, as is done here by combining four quilted ottomans? This is a great idea for entertaining, or filling up a vast space, and you can always separate them for additional seating.
Storage is child’s play
Upholstered ottomans are the ultimate storage solution for the kids’ bedrooms. You can inject colour or pattern easily, the lid lifts up and toys can quickly be stored, and it triples as a comfy seat for the kids as well. Have it resting next to a little table and it’s the perfect craft or tea party set-up.
Upholstered ottomans are the ultimate storage solution for the kids’ bedrooms. You can inject colour or pattern easily, the lid lifts up and toys can quickly be stored, and it triples as a comfy seat for the kids as well. Have it resting next to a little table and it’s the perfect craft or tea party set-up.
If space is tight
Semicircular ottomans are ideal for loft bedroom and apartment living. You can store things inside, but also have the perfect spot in your boudoir for dressing. Fringing the base also adds a gorgeous feminine touch, and nothing says elegance like a beautiful diamond quilting feature.
Semicircular ottomans are ideal for loft bedroom and apartment living. You can store things inside, but also have the perfect spot in your boudoir for dressing. Fringing the base also adds a gorgeous feminine touch, and nothing says elegance like a beautiful diamond quilting feature.
Have fun with tabletops
Ottomans make excellent table units. They are quite low to the ground, so you can really have fun with finding beautiful surfaces to use on top – it helps protect the fabric and also aids in stability. I love the idea of using a gorgeous Moroccan platter. You could also look at wooden or tiled platters, or even traditional tea trays. Add a vase of flowers or other centrepiece for a personal touch.
Ottomans make excellent table units. They are quite low to the ground, so you can really have fun with finding beautiful surfaces to use on top – it helps protect the fabric and also aids in stability. I love the idea of using a gorgeous Moroccan platter. You could also look at wooden or tiled platters, or even traditional tea trays. Add a vase of flowers or other centrepiece for a personal touch.
An alternative to the blanket box
A great way to increase storage in your bedroom is to incorporate an ottoman at the base of the bed instead of a blanket box. It allows you more creative freedom with fabrics and colours, and not only can you store your bulky linens during the warmer seasons, but it’s the perfect bench seat to use in a tight space.
A great way to increase storage in your bedroom is to incorporate an ottoman at the base of the bed instead of a blanket box. It allows you more creative freedom with fabrics and colours, and not only can you store your bulky linens during the warmer seasons, but it’s the perfect bench seat to use in a tight space.
Not just for inside
I love the idea of doubling up an outdoor ottoman as a storage compartment. You could have a small collection of them around your outdoor table and really get creative with colour and fabrics (I’d stick to an outdoor weather-treated fabric for longevity). Pool equipment, gardening tools and even outdoor table accessories can easily be stored away.
See more of this backyard
I love the idea of doubling up an outdoor ottoman as a storage compartment. You could have a small collection of them around your outdoor table and really get creative with colour and fabrics (I’d stick to an outdoor weather-treated fabric for longevity). Pool equipment, gardening tools and even outdoor table accessories can easily be stored away.
See more of this backyard
A little indulgence
If you have the space, why not?! A gorgeous leather ottoman in the bathroom is the ultimate in luxury. Look for textiles that are splash proof, such vinyls and leathers.
If you have the space, why not?! A gorgeous leather ottoman in the bathroom is the ultimate in luxury. Look for textiles that are splash proof, such vinyls and leathers.
Convertible extensions
A lot of couch combinations now include an ottoman, which is perfect for the modern home. You can align the unit with your couch to create a day bed for movie nights (or Sunday afternoon reading in the sun!) and when entertaining, break away the ottoman for extra seating. Place a tray table on the top and you have another serving area as well.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Do have an ottoman? Is it useful or useless? Have your say in the comments section.
MORE ON LIVING ROOMS
8 Living Room Layouts That Work
Living Room Love: 9 Cushion-Picking Strategies That Work
14 Ways to Create the Snuggliest Living Room Ever
How to Choose the Right Coffee Table
A lot of couch combinations now include an ottoman, which is perfect for the modern home. You can align the unit with your couch to create a day bed for movie nights (or Sunday afternoon reading in the sun!) and when entertaining, break away the ottoman for extra seating. Place a tray table on the top and you have another serving area as well.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Do have an ottoman? Is it useful or useless? Have your say in the comments section.
MORE ON LIVING ROOMS
8 Living Room Layouts That Work
Living Room Love: 9 Cushion-Picking Strategies That Work
14 Ways to Create the Snuggliest Living Room Ever
How to Choose the Right Coffee Table
Historically, ottomans were a low piece of furniture with no backs or arms that formed the focal point of a room’s seating area. We adopt a similar notion to them today and treat them much like a coffee table. Whether just for decoration or practical use, their size is perfect for somewhere to showcase a beautiful vignette.