How do I choose an ottoman
Sophia Edwards
Published Mar 29, 2026
Whichever shape you select, remember that ottomans are accent pieces, so choose a shape that will be in harmony with the other shapes of furniture. For poufs – round, cylinder, and cube are the predominant shapes. Round poufs will be best placed in the company of other round décor elements.
What shape ottoman should I get?
Whichever shape you select, remember that ottomans are accent pieces, so choose a shape that will be in harmony with the other shapes of furniture. For poufs – round, cylinder, and cube are the predominant shapes. Round poufs will be best placed in the company of other round décor elements.
How do I find a matching ottoman?
Look for an ottoman that picks up on the colors from the rest of your furniture yet has a distinctive appearance that lends style to your room. Of course, for a more traditional look, find a color and texture that matches your sofa or loveseat.
What is the right size ottoman?
The size of your ottoman or coffee table should generally be 2/3rds of the width of your sofa or sectional. Allow 14″ – 18″ of space between your ottoman or coffee table and your sofa. This allows for plenty of space to pass through, but still keeps the ottoman or coffee table within reach while sitting.Do Ottomans need to match?
The ottoman doesn’t have to be the same color as the furniture, but it should be a complementary color and should not clash. Since all the furniture in one room should match to some degree, your ottoman will probably end up matching your couch even if you use it more often with the loveseat.
Do you sit on ottoman?
Ottomans are more than just decorative items and can be used for sitting. Ottomans support feet and legs, and they are strong enough to allow people to sit on them. If you find yourself in a situation where you need more seating, ottomans can be extremely helpful.
Are ottomans comfortable?
Ottomans not only offer comfort, but they are also a great storage solution, especially for small spaces.
How do you choose an ottoman chair?
To find the perfect height, measure how far off the ground your chair is from floor to the top of the cushion, then select your ottoman accordingly. Some people, especially those with knee problems, might prefer an ottoman that’s a few inches shorter than their chair height, as this allows them to bend their knees.Can ottoman be higher than couch?
Can an Ottoman Be Taller Than the Couch? An ottoman should not be taller than your couch. If you are using a footstool your legs would above your seating height, which would be significantly less comfortable. A coffee table that is taller than your couch would require you to reach up to access your items.
How much space should be between sofa and ottoman?Sofa And Ottoman Spacing: For an ottoman providing extra seating, set at least 30 inches apart from the sofa. For an ottoman used only as a footrest, set 12 inches apart.
Article first time published onCan you have a different color ottoman?
You can mix and match while still maintaining a neutral look. White, black, or gray would all work with this gray couch. The same concept applies if your sofa is tan, blue, red, or any other color: choose an ottoman in the same tone but a shade darker or lighter than your couch, and you can’t go wrong.
Can you have two ottomans in living room?
A pair of identical ottomans are the most overlooked and under-appreciated pieces of living room furniture. It doesn’t matter what you call them… … When you decorate your space by placing two identical ottomans side by side in a room – you create not only decorative interest, but also versatility and multi-function.
Can two chairs share an ottoman?
An ottoman is a great option for something to put between two accent chairs. Much like the table, this encourages conversation, though with a more laid back vibe.
What is the use of ottoman in Bedroom?
An ottoman placed at the foot of a bed can provide an additional element of comfort and add the finishing touches to your bedroom decor. For best results, choose one with an upholstered seat in a shade that matches or compliments your bed linen. It’s a great place to pile your extra pillows.
How do I choose the right size coffee table?
The ideal coffee table is two-thirds the width of your sofa. If you have a sectional with a chaise, then the table should be two-thirds the size of the sofa portion only. This creates a balanced look in the room.
Can I sleep on an ottoman?
Most ottomans, even sleeper ottomans, aren’t meant to be slept on full time. … You can easily transport the ottoman from room to room. However, standard ottomans without a bed in them aren’t for sleeping. They are much too small, even for children.
Is an ottoman a bench?
Ottomans were first introduced into Europe from Turkey (the heart of the Ottoman Empire, hence the name) in the late 18th century. Usually a padded, upholstered seat or bench without arms or a back, they were traditionally heaped with cushions and formed the main piece of seating in the home.
How do you style a large ottoman?
- Try an eclectic mix of colors shapes sizes and patterns.
- Use a square, round or rectangular tray.
- Add organic materials of wood and fabric.
- Stack books that match your interest or hobby.
- Use found objects as accessories.
- Make a bold statement with oversized accessories.
How much weight can an ottoman bed take?
It’s important to know that your ottoman bed is solidly made, particularly as they’ll need to be capable of lifting anywhere between 40-80kg (if you have a quality king-size mattress). If you choose a very cheap or poorly made ottoman bed, then it’s likely to collapse under the weight.
Can you stand on a storage ottoman?
Yes, you can sit on it. I personally flip up the top and use it as a coffee table, but you can sit on it. It also has the two little ottomans inside which are good for a pinch or kids.
What's the difference between an ottoman and a pouf?
The two mainly differ in appearance. Ottomans are almost always firmer and less pillowy, whereas some poufs are more like oversized pillows than anything else. Some ottomans have legs that raise them slightly, while most poufs sit flat on the ground.
How wide should an ottoman be compared to the chair?
You want the ottoman to be at least an inch lower than your sofa or chair. You don’t want your feet going uphill, or down too low.”
Is an ottoman a footrest?
Ottoman is a low upholstered seat without a back or arms. It is often used as a footstool or a tool. Some also use ottomans as coffee tables or side tables. The main feature of ottomans that differentiates it from other footstools is their storage space.
What is a footstool used for?
A footstool (foot stool, footrest, foot rest) is a piece of furniture or a support used to elevate the foot. There are two main types of footstool, which can be loosely categorized into those designed for comfort and those designed for function.
How many countries did Ottomans rule?
The Ottoman Empire is one of the largest empires in history. In existence for 600 years, at its peak it included what is now Bulgaria, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Macedonia, Romania, Syria, parts of Arabia and the north coast of Africa.
How large was the Ottoman Empire at its peak?
At its peak, the Ottoman Empire included the areas of Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Hungary, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. It had a maximum area of 7.6 million square miles (19.9 million square kilometers) in 1595.
How do you place an ottoman in a room?
If you plan on using it to store living room accessories, the ottoman can go virtually anywhere – next to the sofa, in the corner of the room or adjacent to the entertainment system. If you’re using the ottoman as more of a statement piece, place it between your seating arrangement to mimic a coffee table.
Can you use an ottoman as a chair?
An ottoman is a piece of furniture that is typically used as a comfortable footrest in front of a couch or chair, though you can also use it as a stool or even a coffee table.
How do you know if a couch is too big for a room?
- It takes up the full length of the wall it is placed on.
- It crowds the surrounding furniture.
- It does not leave enough space to properly distance the television.
- Makes it difficult to get in and out of the sofa or use it comfortably.
Where do you put a small ottoman in a bedroom?
- Nightstand – Opt to use ottomans instead of the traditional night stands on the side of your bed. …
- Purse/Shoe Holder – If you are limited in closet or storage space, a storage ottoman can be used to store your purses, shoes, and other accessories.
How do you size an ottoman?
Ideally, your ottoman will be roughly an inch (a few centimetres) shorter than the seat height of your chair or sofa. To work this out, simply measure from the ground to the top of the seat’s cushion. Take off an inch and use this guide when you’re shopping for your new ottoman.