Soft, Central, Functional: Ottomans
Last week, I put together an ideabook to help my mom think through her living room redesign. One casualty of the redecoration is a comfortable white ottoman. It's a little dingy and doesn't really match anything in the room, now that its formerly matching sofa has been jettisoned. It's so comfortable, though, that even though it doesn't fit aesthetically, I'm sad to see it go.
Saying goodbye to the ottoman made me think, though, about the fantastic versatility that piece can provide. From tailored to poufy and table-like to pure footrest, ottomans meet a variety of needs - and they can look pretty great, too.
Here are some examples of great ottomans:
Saying goodbye to the ottoman made me think, though, about the fantastic versatility that piece can provide. From tailored to poufy and table-like to pure footrest, ottomans meet a variety of needs - and they can look pretty great, too.
Here are some examples of great ottomans:
I love this yellow quilted piece. It's got a Mies Barcelona vibe, brightened by vibrant color that's a fantastic fit with the white room and gorgeous view. This is a great example of how one low piece of furniture can add a whole new aesthetic dimension to a space.
An ottoman in the closet - what a great idea! This simple addition - which doesn't take up too much space in this, admittedly huge, walk-in - is so functional. Plus, it gives the closet a dressing room feeling that gives whole new meaning to "shopping in your closet."
A year or so ago, while I was flipping through some shelter mag, I came across a feature on a home where a couple of little kids lived. In an effort to childproof, the parents had wrapped the edges of their super-sexy Noguchi table (which didn't even have sharp edges!) in some kind of cushy foam. It was bright white, totally synthetic, and looked horrible.
I'm all for protecting children's foreheads, and I know that kids fall. But isn't it also injurious to expose kids to such terrible design mistakes?
There is a middle ground - a safe, but attractive table solution. The ottoman! This firm leather ottoman works perfectly as a table and its soft sides are safe for little tumblers. Plus, as a bonus, leather is so cleanable. Perfect for baby!
I'm all for protecting children's foreheads, and I know that kids fall. But isn't it also injurious to expose kids to such terrible design mistakes?
There is a middle ground - a safe, but attractive table solution. The ottoman! This firm leather ottoman works perfectly as a table and its soft sides are safe for little tumblers. Plus, as a bonus, leather is so cleanable. Perfect for baby!
I love this ottoman for its round shape and the way it lightens up the whole space.
I love this zebra! The rest of the room is a little on the feminine side for my taste, but I do like the way the zebra cuts the feminity. An ottoman is the perfect size for a crazy pattern - not too little, not too much.
I love this outdoor ottoman - it's pefect for a tray of drinks or as a footrest. Plus, these colors are fantastic - so bright and summery.
This Togo ottoman is so cool and works so well with the matching, but not matchy, sofas. I love that its in a slightly lighter color than the gray sofa - it keeps the room from looking overly coordinated.
Ah, the Eames chair and ottoman, one of my favorite silhouettes. This room is so gorgeous in its midcentury simplicity, with a focus on clean lines, natural materials and an amazing view. The Eames set fits so perfectly.