Ottoman or footstool – what should you choose for your interiors?

When it comes to interior decoration, choosing the right furniture plays a major role in the overall look of the room. And, since, with each passing day, rooms and houses are getting more compact, hence people are inclined more towards purchasing furniture that saves them the place and budget, and at the same time is useful, elegant, and fits perfectly with the other furniture. This is why Ottoman footstool is now being preferred as a more convenient option in most households. However, due to the similar appearance, many are still confused about what to purchase.

There are a few things that you need to consider before purchasing one of the two provided options:

The Style Quotient

The selection process certainly depends upon the decoration of the interior of the room. If your home has a classy and elegant decoration, then you are suggested to go for footstools, as these will provide a traditional look to the setting. On the other hand, ottomans go well with contemporary decorations.

The Space Availability

For relatively smaller properties, footstools are certainly the more preferred option. Ottomans can take more space, disturbing the aura of the room. And, for spacious properties, large ottomans have got to be the go-to option.

The budget

Though the prices of ottomans and footstools are pretty much the same, one should always check their budget and select accordingly. The prices do vary depending upon the style or size of the furniture.

WHY NOT HAVE AN OTTOMAN INSTEAD OF A FOOTSTOOL?

Having a footstool in your lounge or drawing room is one of life’s luxuries. They don’t cost a lot compared with other furniture, and there is nothing better after a hard day at the office than coming home and putting your feet up. This is especially true if you have to commute to work on public transport, stand in queues for ages awaiting a train, and then finding that it has been cancelled. You then have to wait for the next one which is so crowded that you can’t even get on to it! Aaaarrrgghhh!

When you finally get home you then have to feed the kids, cook dinner, eat dinner, and do the washing up. Only then have you the time to relax with a glass of wine or three, slump back on to the sofa and put your feet up. Well, you can only do the last bit if you have a footstool.

But why buy a footstool at all? OK, at Footstools & More we make a huge range of footstools in all sort of colours, designs, sizes, heights, with legs, without legs, and so on. And if you don’t see a footstool that suits you, we’ll make you a bespoke one to your own design!

But, as we said, why buy a footstool? Why not buy an ottoman instead? Or as it is sometimes called an ottoman footstool?

Read Original Content: Black Ottoman

3 Ways an Ottoman Footstool can enhance the Look of your Room

Ottomans are like your favourite candy, you cannot just have one. It is one of the most versatile items that offer an immaculate touch to your interior settings. It originated back from the Turkish heritage furniture and brought by the French in the 18th century. With time, it has developed into one of the most fashionable choices as a fixture accessory in homes and apartments.

Ottoman footstool holds great importance in today’s decor, as it can be used in many ways. It is a hidden gem that saves space while offering an aesthetic look. With the trend of ottomans elevating day-by-day, you must know the amazing ways it can enhance the look of your home. Below written are some of the ways ottomans can be used to increase the appeal of your room.

Shared Seating: Ottomans is a great idea for open floor plan homes and apartments that share seating in more than one place. It offers impeccable versions to add seating to the shared space in your home.

Coffee Table: Tables that sits lower than your couch can be used to display items beside the couch, and is referred as a coffee table. It also serves as a coffee table, just put an ottoman tray on it and you’re good to go.

Coordinate: Choose an ottoman that matches with your wall colours or just put a striking piece like a black ottoman to compliment your existing decor.

Why the Ottoman Goes Beyond Being Just a Footstool

Osman, who laid the foundations of the grand Ottoman empire spanning the continents, would not have dreamt that the term Ottoman would apply to a mere piece of furniture that would find favour in places as far away as Britain and the US. Osman has departed long since and the Ottoman Empire has vanished, but the Ottoman name lives on in the furniture that the empire inspired. Ottomans are alive and thriving in a different avatar.

To call an ottoman a footstool might be construed as a grave insult. The battle weary man of the house (or lady of the house) who has been on his (or her) toes all day long comes back and finds soul satisfying comfort in resting his feet on the nicely proportioned ottoman. It serves a vital function of recharging the feet of the lord (or lady) of the house and bringing about calm. When it is not engaged in this all important duty, the ottoman footstool will deign to serve as a temporary coffee table or even something you can stand on to reach for something. 

Some say the footstool gained a veneer of polish and evolved into the ottoman as we know it today, possibly because the shape resembles bales of cotton that weavers stood on during the Turkish Empire. Others trace the genes of modern day ottomans to furniture used during the 17^th century Turkey as a coffee table or to seat guests. Some say the original ottoman was larger in size and could conveniently seat entire families before it reduced in size as it evolved and its corners became rounded as well.

A black ottoman need not be a footstool; it can be rather generous in proportion to accommodate two or three persons. It can be a bench but would not appreciate being called one. The term Ottoman will do nicely, thank you. They are even called pouffes  by some but that does sound a bit pejorative. You may invite an honoured guest to sit on an Ottoman but not on a pouffe though they may both be the same thing. Ottoman does sound royal. And, like royalty, the ottoman is discreet. He is there when you need him but retires grandly and discreetly to a corner but never sulks. Put your foot on him or rest your head on him and he will always welcome you. Is it any wonder it is a favourite of families?

A well made ottoman footstool can even hope to become a family heirloom.

Ottoman is a Vital Piece of Beautiful and Functional Furniture

After a long and tiring day, all that you want to do is stretch out comfortably on your sofa. Your feet deserve rest, and for that would you choose a pouffe, a hassock or an ottoman to give your poor feet the much desired pampering?

Pouffe

Pouffes can be delightful and feel cushiony underneath your feet. Cylindrical or cubed these nifty items of furniture not only give rest to your feet but they can also serve as tabletops. However, most pouffes are enclosed on all sides and have limited functionality.

Hassock

The good old hassock will also serve the purpose of giving rest to your feet. Mainly used as a knee support while praying the hassock can be used as a footrest. However, there are better alternatives and an ottoman footstool is one that you should seriously consider for beauty and functionality in your home. 

Ottoman footstool

The original Ottoman is of Turkish origin and has a wooden box frame with wooden legs covered with a cushioned top. It made its way to Europe and mutated in the process by undergoing changes in the shape and style. From being a simple footrest it has evolved into becoming a storage space as well while taking on overtones of European styles. You could pick a small sized one to serve as a footstool but why stick to small? Think of a delightful large ottoman covered in luxurious velvet on all sides with a buttoned cushion at the top. The top is hinged and opens up to reveal a large storage space underneath in order to keep all those little things hidden away instead of littering your living space. You could pick a fabric covered ottoman or leather covered one with ornate period legs or castors to help you roll it wherever you want to place it.

Of all colours and fabric textures available, the black ottoman deserves special mention due to its unique styling and looks. With plain black finished wooden sides, a hinged top in black buttoned and cushioned leather with elegant white trimmed feet, this is as classy as it gets. You can get a small, medium or large sized one or have it made to order. Use it as a footrest and feel like a Pasha. Between the pouffe, hassock and the ottoman, the last is undoubtedly the one to give form and functionality in an aesthetic package.

Top 4 Simple Tips To Get Right Footstool For The House

Footstools can add aesthetic appeal to any space whether big or small. When you are purchasing a footstool, make sure to get a strong one with double seating which proves to be practically comfortable when reading books or when gossiping with family. When we look back, the ottoman footstool comes from 17^th or 18^th century and was a common item found in the Turkish homes. It was supposed to be the traditional furniture used in Turkey. However, with change in times the furniture gained popularity in London, Paris and other countries. 

If you step out into the market to purchase any large ottoman footstools, you will be surprised as well as puzzled looking at so many varieties. Some of the common styles found are from the British style or the handmade ones, which can look perfect in living rooms, bedrooms, or even in outdoor spaces of the house.

Choosing a perfect footstool for home

Let us check out some easy ways following which, you can end up with the perfect footstool. You can give a quick reading below.

Tip #1: Style to pick up

It is completely your decision to pick up something which matches the interior of your space. If your home has a classic appeal then you can go for pretty classic fashioned footstool with styled legs. On the contrary, you can choose black ottoman footstool if you have modern and chic interiors. Another modern option is to go for storage stools to stuff in with anything you want to hide.

Tip #2: Fabric holds importance

No other design can beat the floral pattern. There are many varieties again under floral, which you can opt for. Choose any soft fabric; it can be velvet or anything else as per your preferences. You can find many options to suit your budget as well as your style.

Tip #3: Height of the stool

People usually overlook this aspect. Make sure to choose such a footstool, on which you can comfortably keep your legs up and folded. Do not buy until you are comfortable with it as this furniture is not just for decor purpose, it should be practically fit as well.

Tip #4: Look online

If you want to check out more and more options then hop on any popular furniture website online and keep browsing for new trends.

Keep the above-mentioned tips in mind and get the perfect footstool for your home!