Ottoman is a stylish and functional piece of furniture you can have at home. Its uses? You’ll be astonished by how versatile it is. Let’s learn how you can use an ottoman at home, whether in your living room, bedroom, and other parts of your home.
What is an Ottoman
An ottoman, also called a pouf, is a low piece of sofa with no back or arms. If you think this piece of furniture has something to do with the Ottomans we learned in our History class, well, you are correct. You can actually trace the ottoman’s history during the Ottoman Empire, where this seat was a central piece in many homes.
The ottoman began as a low platform made of wood and then piled with cushions. While the variations we see today are smaller, they started as large sectional sofa pieces fitted on the room’s walls.
How to use ottoman at home
Ottoman has both practical and aesthetic uses that make it a great addition to your home furnishing.
- Use it as a footrest.
An ottoman is sometimes called a footrest or footstool. Well, it is rightly so because this low piece of furniture is a comfortable stool to rest our feet. It works perfectly with a single-seater sofa in your living room, reading nook, entertainment area, or bedroom.
Pick a footstool that looks great with the color and style of your sofa, so it does not go out of place.
- Create additional seating.
You can also double the pouf in your living area or sitting room as an extra seat for guests. Many variations are lightweight so that you can easily bring them to where you need additional seating. Take, for example, your dining area or your patio where family and friends gather for meals or conversations.
- Conceal your seating.
If you want neat or space-saving seating, you can get an ottoman. Its low profile allows you to easily tuck it under a center table, side table, or shelf when not in use. You can also get a pair of ottomans or more for a dedicated coffee table in your house.
- Use it as a coffee table.
Speaking of coffee tables, you can use your ottoman for this function. If you are not using it as an extra seat or footstool, you can temporarily utilize it as a coffee table when you need to.
On the other hand, you can get a bigger ottoman and make it your center or main coffee table. This makes a great alternative to other table materials if you want a child-safe piece of furniture. Just add a glass top to protect your fabric from spills and messes. Ensure the glass is about the same size as your ottoman and does not go beyond its edges for safety. Alternatively, you may use a tray when serving food and drinks on the table.
- Double your ottoman as storage.
If you want added functionality, find an ottoman that doubles as storage. You can place your spare throw pillows and blankets here, or your kids’ toys, your magazines, and other things you want to keep.
- Use it as a stylish shoe stool.
Create a lovely entryway ambiance with an ottoman as your shoe stool or bench. Aside from making the area look pleasant, it can also provide a comfortable spot to wear and take off your shoes. You may buy a ready-made stool, have it customized, or make a DIY shoe storage ottoman where you can put your shoes inside the seat. How convenient, right?
- Match your ottoman with your vanity dresser.
Because an ottoman is very comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, you can use it to pair with your vanity dresser. You can also easily tuck it in under your vanity table so that it does not take up space when not in use. That makes it very space-efficient, too.
- Use it as a bed extension.
There are many uses of an ottoman bench by your bed aside from giving it more style. You can use it as a bed extension where you can lounge on while reading a good book, watching tv, or sipping a cup of coffee. You can also sit on it while changing and putting on your stockings, socks, or pants. It can also be where your pet can sleep if you don’t want them on your bed.
With today’s innovations, ottomans can come in different variations. Some transform to a sofa bed, while some come with smaller ottomans inside a bigger ottoman bench, plus many other styles. With its versatility, you will surely find many great uses of an ottoman for your home. You just might end up buying more than one!
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