Are you looking for a way to spruce up your living room? If that's the case, you should consider including ottomans in your living room design. Nowadays, you can find these furniture pieces in plenty of sizes, shapes, and fabrics. Here's what ottomans are and how you can use ottomans in your living room design:

A Brief History of Ottomans

An ottoman is a piece of furniture that has many uses. It was first brought to Europe by the Ottomans in the 18th century, hence the name. At the time, ottomans were almost always padded with cushions and similar soft materials. However, nowadays you can find them in many different kinds of fabrics. For example, faux leather ottomans are particularly popular for modern homes. Additionally, some even come with wooden legs and are used as benches or stools.

The ottoman became quite popular in Turkey due to its practicality. It's a seating piece, a leg rest, a table, and storage space all in one. The popularity of ottomans grew quickly in Europe, as well. You could find this piece of furniture in many European households in the 19th century. Even nowadays, ottomans remain highly sought-after. That's not surprising, because this small piece of furniture can go a long way in elevating interior decor while remaining functional.

Types of Ottomans

Nowadays, you can find plenty of unique types of ottomans. Firstly, you can choose the shape you prefer. Ottomans usually come in rectangular, square, and circle shapes. However, you can also find plenty of unique shapes, such as hexagonal and triangular ottomans, as well. 

Secondly, depending on what you'll use it for, you can choose from ottomans with or without storage space. Some of them don't have any storage space at all, but they're useful for sitting or as a leg rest. And lastly, you can choose from a plethora of fabrics. Leather, velvet, linen, and polyester are all popular choices. Additionally, you can always opt for a custom ottoman if you want it to fit your needs perfectly.

How Can Ottomans Enhance a Room

Ottomans can upscale any area in your home. They are equally useful and beautiful to look at, which is why they remain popular even today. Here are a few reasons you should invest in this furniture piece:

• Extra seating options

Having a few smaller ottomans is a great idea if you like hosting get-togethers with your friends. You may not have enough room in your home to store extra chairs in case you need them. Additionally, it's tedious to carry them to your living room area, and they always look out of place from the rest of your decor. However, you can easily find ottomans that go well with your living room aesthetic. They won't look out of place when you're not using them and will come in handy when guests show up.

• Extra storage space

No matter how big or small our homes are, we all need extra storage space. Ottomans are a great, stylish way to store anything from blankets and pillows to your children's toys. If you have enough space, you can even get a large rectangular ottoman that doubles as storage space and a living room table. In it, you can store game controllers, remote controls, or your movie collection.

• They're kid-friendly

If you have children, an ottoman may be a smarter investment than a standard coffee table. Kids have a tendency to hit household objects while playing or running around the house. In order to prevent that, you have to childproof your furniture, including your coffee table. However, if you choose an ottoman instead, you won't have to worry about your kids hurting themselves. Since they're padded with soft fabrics, your kids will be able to jump around next to the ottoman as much as they want.

Tips on Ottoman Use in Living Room Design

Now that you know the benefits of having an ottoman, you're probably wondering how to include it in your living room design. Here are a few tips that can help you when deciding on an ottoman for your living room area:

• Match the ottomans with your sofa

If you want your interior design to look impeccable, match your sofa and your ottomans. They don't have to be the same print, of course. For example, if you have a leather sofa, you can pair it with an animal hide ottoman. An animal hide ottoman can add a touch of rustic charm to your living room while still looking elegant and sophisticated. You can also add some natural elements such as plants, flowers, or natural wood decor that can complement the natural beauty of the animal hide ottoman.Some variety will add dimension to your living room. However, you should make sure the fabric and color of the furniture pieces match. Doing so will ensure your living room design looks well-thought-out and sophisticated.

• A window nook is a perfect place for an ottoman

If you have a window nook in your living room, place an ottoman there. Make sure its dimensions match the dimensions of the nook as closely as possible. Additionally, make sure the ottoman is tall enough for you to be able to look out of your window. The ottoman will double as a storage and cozy seating area. It will be the perfect place to sit down, relax, and read a book or people-watch from your window.

• Don’t stop at one ottoman

If you love the practicality and beauty of ottomans, why stop at one? Get a few pieces in varying sizes and shapes instead. Using a larger ottoman as a coffee table, and a few smaller for seating can look quite beautiful. Ottomans give off a bohemian feel, and they'll make your living room appear both stylish and fun.

In Conclusion

If you're looking for a way to add some fun shapes and textures to your living room design, ottomans are a great place to start. They're versatile, so they can fit any style. Additionally, they're quite practical, so you'll surely find plenty of uses for them in your home.