The Ottoman: The Little Black Dress of Furniture

"An ottoman or upholstered stool is like the little black dress of furniture. It becomes what you make it. Some furniture is designed to fade into the background, but an ottoman in an interesting fabric or an unexpected color can wake up a room, even a more subdued fabric or silhouette can be personalized with intriguing trim or nail heads.” -Reyna Moore, Norwalk Furniture

You already have a nice couch...there's no room for new end tables and more pillows are out of the question (you have way too many!). Often an overlooked piece of furniture, an ottoman can add interest as well as function to a room.  Because it is typically a smaller piece, it's a safe way of adding a great pop of color or pattern to a room without committing to a large piece of furniture in trendy tomato red or citrus green. And, like the "little black dress," it can be adjusted to fit any occasion. Ottomans can double as seating and storage OR it just becomes a secret weapon when your house is overflowing with guests and the side table turns into a soft seat or even a bed! Ottomans can also be very convenient coffee tables...put your feet up to watch tv or have a nice metal tray to put drinks on (no worries about water rings and coasters!).

Check out some cool rooms using ottomans for storage, seating and fun!

Table OR Seat: Uno Storage Ottoman- Round by American Leather

 

 



A Sculptural Seat: The Maxwell Ottoman by American Leather



 

For clean lines AND storage, try the Linden Storage Ottoman by American Leather
Picture by mixandchic.com



 

A soft, tufted statement...check out the Columbus Ottoman by CR Laine



 



An Elegant Bench, Table and Storage: The Henley Bench Ottoman by Norwalk



 



And here's a few of our staff favs:

Seriously- It's a bed. The Shuffle Ottoman Sleeper by Comfort Design

 



Avery Ottoman by Norwalk

 

Tray Top Ottoman in leather (and 3 sizes!) by Precedent


 

Bench Ottoman by Precedent

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So, when you are looking to add a little something fun to your house, don't overlook the ottoman- it can be anything you want it to be!

-Team CC