You’re standing in a furniture showroom, and there it is. A weird, upholstered box. No back. No arms. It’s basically a marshmallow with legs. You’ve probably asked yourself, "What is an ottoman used for, anyway?" Is it a chair? A table? A footrest for someone who’s too tired to care?
Honestly, it’s all of those. And none of them.
The ottoman is the Swiss Army knife of interior design. It’s the piece of furniture that fills the gaps you didn't know you had. While most people just see a place to park their feet after a 9-to-5, interior designers like Nate Berkus have often pointed out that these pieces are essential for layering a room. They add texture without blocking the "sightline" of a space. Basically, they make a room look expensive without trying too hard.
The Secret History of the "Stool Without a Back"
We can’t talk about what an ottoman is used for without looking at where it came from. It didn't start at IKEA.
The name isn't an accident. It comes from the Ottoman Empire. Back in the late 18th century, these were the primary seating arrangements in Turkish living spaces. They were usually piles of cushions or long, low wooden frames covered in rich textiles that wrapped around the walls of a room. When they traveled to Europe, they got smaller. The French took the concept, shfited it into a standalone piece, and suddenly, every aristocratic salon in Paris had to have one.
Today, we’ve traded the silk brocade for performance fabrics and faux leather, but the DNA is the same. It’s a low-profile powerhouse.
It’s a Footrest (Obviously), But Better
Let’s get the obvious part out of the way. You put your feet on it.
But there’s a science to why this matters. Elevation is key for circulation. If you've spent all day standing, your veins are working overtime to pump blood back up to your heart. Propping your feet up on an ottoman isn't just lazy; it's practically a health hack. Unlike a recliner, which locks you into one specific angle, an ottoman is mobile. You can scoot it closer. You can push it away. You can angle it so you’re lounging sideways like a Roman emperor eating grapes.
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It’s about ergonomic freedom.
The Stealthy Guest Chair
Ever hosted a party and realized you have six guests but only a four-person sofa? That’s where the ottoman saves your social life.
Because they lack a back, they don't feel "heavy" in a room. You can tuck two small cubes under a console table and pull them out when the house gets crowded. They’re perfect for perching. They’re not meant for an eight-hour Netflix binge—your lower back would hate you—but for a thirty-minute cocktail chat? Perfect.
Architectural Digest often showcases rooms where ottomans are used as "floating" seating. This keeps the center of the room open. It creates a conversational circle without making the place look like a waiting room at a dentist's office.
Is it a Coffee Table? Mostly.
This is the big trend right now. People are ditching hard-edged wooden coffee tables for oversized, upholstered ottomans.
Why?
- Safety first. If you have toddlers, you know that coffee table corners are basically magnets for foreheads. A soft ottoman removes that danger entirely.
- Versatility. Put a large wooden tray on top, and boom—it's a hard surface for your coffee and remote. Take the tray off, and it’s a seat.
- Comfort. You can’t comfortably put your feet up on a glass table without feeling like you’re going to break something or leave gross smudges. With an ottoman, it’s encouraged.
However, you have to be careful with the height. A coffee table should be about 1-2 inches lower than your sofa cushions. If your ottoman is too tall, it feels like a wall between you and the rest of the room. It gets awkward.
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The "Hiding the Mess" Factor
Storage ottomans are the unsung heroes of small apartment living.
Inside that hollow core, you can fit three winter blankets, a collection of board games, or the messy pile of magazines you’re "totally going to read" next week. It’s the ultimate "clutter buster."
When you’re looking at what an ottoman is used for in a functional sense, storage is arguably the most practical answer. It’s a 2-for-1 deal. You get the aesthetics of a designer piece and the utility of a closet.
Design Tricks: Using the Ottoman to Anchor a Room
Designers use these pieces to "ground" a space. If you have a massive open-concept living room, a single sofa can look like it’s floating in the ocean. Adding a large, rectangular ottoman in a contrasting fabric creates a focal point.
Think about texture. If you have a leather sofa, a velvet ottoman adds a layer of softness. If you have a linen couch, maybe a tufted leather ottoman adds that "library" feel.
It’s also a great way to experiment with color. Afraid of a bright orange sofa? Fine. Buy a neutral sofa and get a burnt orange ottoman. It’s a low-risk way to inject personality into a room without committing to a piece of furniture that costs three months' rent and requires a moving crew to relocate.
Choosing the Right One: It’s Not Just About Looks
Don't just buy the first one you see. You have to think about the "traffic flow" of your room.
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If you have a narrow space, a round ottoman is your best friend. No sharp corners to bang your shins on in the dark. If you’re pairing it with a sectional, a square or rectangular one usually fits the "L" shape better.
Also, consider the legs. High legs make a room feel airy. No legs (the "pouf" style) make it feel cozy and grounded.
Material Matters
- Microfiber: Great for pets. Easy to clean.
- Leather: Gets better with age. Spilled wine? Just wipe it off.
- Velvet: Looks amazing, but it’s a cat hair magnet. You’ve been warned.
- Outdoor fabrics: Surprisingly good for indoor ottomans if you have messy kids.
The Misconception: It’s Not Just for the Living Room
We always think of the couch. But what is an ottoman used for in the bedroom?
Put a long, bench-style ottoman at the foot of your bed. It gives you a place to sit while you put on your socks. It catches the decorative pillows you throw off the bed at night. It makes the room look like a high-end hotel suite.
In an entryway, a small ottoman gives people a place to sit while they struggle with their boots. It’s an inviting gesture. It says, "Hey, stay a while, or at least take your shoes off so you don't track mud on my rug."
Actionable Steps for Buying Your First Ottoman
If you're ready to add one to your home, follow this quick checklist to ensure you don't end up with a glorified paperweight.
- Measure the Height: Measure your sofa's seat height. Your ottoman should be the same height or slightly lower (up to two inches). Anything higher will feel like you're putting your feet on a kitchen counter.
- Evaluate Your "Tray Game": If you plan to use it as a coffee table, find a tray first. Make sure the ottoman's surface is flat enough (look for minimal tufting) so your drinks don't wobble.
- Check the Weight: If you plan to move it around for extra seating, look for one with casters (wheels) or a lightweight frame. If it’s going to stay put as a center-piece, a heavy, solid-base model feels more premium.
- Fabric Stress Test: If it's a footrest, your heels will be rubbing against the fabric constantly. Avoid delicate silks or loose weaves. Go for high-rub-count fabrics like canvas, treated leather, or heavy-duty polyester blends.
Ultimately, the ottoman is the hardest working piece of furniture in the house. It’s a chameleon. It changes based on what you need at that exact moment—whether that’s a desk for your laptop, a stage for your feet, or a secret vault for your extra blankets.
Stop thinking of it as an "extra" and start seeing it as the foundation of a comfortable room.
Next Steps: Measuring Your Space
Before you shop, take a piece of painter's tape and mark out the dimensions of an ottoman on your floor. Walk around it for a day. This ensures you won't be tripping over your new "MVP" furniture piece once it arrives. Once you have the dimensions, look for a "performance fabric" if you have pets or kids to ensure the piece lasts more than a season of heavy use.