The modern approach to home decoration values comfortable and practical upholstered furniture that can decorate a room in any style. Such solutions include an ottoman; This is a type of furniture with an oriental flavor that helps organize a comfortable stay. Let’s figure out what advantages it has, how to choose the right variety and find a place for it in the interior.
In a beige interior Source aphome.ru
Ottoman: history of evolution
The name (Ottoman) comes from a Turkish name; therefore, a soft, low sofa with cushions and without a solid back most likely came to Europe from the territory of the Ottoman Empire, around the end of the 17th century.
The Turks placed soft sofas around the perimeter of the room to create a comfortable relaxation area. In Europe, the concept of furniture began to transform, and today the following variations are understood as an ottoman:
- Traditional. It is more reminiscent of the ancient prototype than the others. This is a pouf or sofa with pillows and bolsters located on the sides. The seat of the latter can be solid or also consists of pillows. If the pillows and bolsters are removable, the sofa can be transformed into a comfortable sleeping place.
In oriental style Source squarespace-cdn.com
- Classic. A salon accessory used in classic and eclectic interiors. The furniture began to look different: it acquired long legs and turned into a luxury item; it can easily be confused with a couch or ottoman. The backrest may be absent; instead of side bolsters, elegant armrests have appeared, often of an unexpected configuration. Such ottomans decorate the interior of an office, bedroom, or library.
Velor and capitonné Source pinimg.com
- Modern. By the end of the 19th century, the ottoman shrank in size and began to resemble a round or octagonal pouf. It is still used today as a chair or footstool. In other cases, the ottoman serves as an element of modular furniture.
Today, the question of what an ottoman is by a sofa is asked less and less often. An L-shaped sofa consisting of modules is a familiar option that is found in both classic and modern interiors. The modular system allows you to quickly change the configuration of the living room by moving the blocks relative to each other in different ways.
In the living-dining room with an accent wall Source pinimg.com
What is an ottoman?
The birthplace of the ottoman is the eastern state of Turkey, where this piece of furniture was a small sofa, which was upholstered in beautiful and bright carpets. The main decorative features of the ottoman were fringe, patterned fabric, soft upholstery and a variety of small pillows. The ottoman was becoming a good place to relax. After some time, it became widespread in other countries of the world.
Advantages and disadvantages
A sofa with an ottoman is a multifunctional furniture set. It fits into any interior design, including industrial loft and shocking retro styles. Upholstered furniture is in high demand due to the following qualities:
- Versatility and comfort. A corner sofa can be easily converted into a rectangular one, or divided into several armchairs. If necessary (if the model allows), you can organize a comfortable sleeping place from it.
In a country house Source pinimg.com
- The stylish design allows you to beautifully organize a recreation area, and, if necessary, helps to zone the space.
- The model range is distinguished by a rare variety of colors, sizes and designs. You can always choose a ready-made suitable model or make it to order.
Relaxation area in a brown and beige palette Source hzcdn.com
The only significant disadvantage of a corner sofa with an ottoman is its size. It is necessary to allocate enough space for the overall structure so that the room does not look cluttered. It is almost impossible to do this in a small room, and the furniture will look out of place.
The highlight of the interior Source blogspot.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in interior redevelopment
Placement in the interior
A sofa with a pouf is a kind of designer and the main element in the room. Despite the fact that the set contains 2 items (sometimes 3), there are a variety of combinations, so you can play with space and change the interior of the room.
The placement of the sofa can affect the overall interior
You can place this design in any room:
- Living room . Such furniture design should not only look sophisticated, but also be comfortable. The choice is made based on the style of the room. If it is a loft or minimalism, then choose furniture in a bright color, possibly with a geometric or other pattern. For classics, you can choose a discreet monochromatic option. Provence goes well with floral decoration.
- Bedroom . For this room it is better to choose a transforming sofa with a strong metal frame. Furniture upholstery should be practical, but it is not necessary to choose a monochromatic option. It should be combined with other pieces of furniture and style in the room.
- Children's room In a room where one or more children live, not only strong furniture is selected, but also furniture that the child will like. It should be bright, colorful, with a pattern. If the sofa will serve as a sleeping place, then the transformation system must be safe. The upholstery must have good resistance to friction and moisture.
Looks sophisticated and accentuated in the living room
Sofa and ottoman: popular varieties
Modern ottomans often resemble a pouf in appearance. Their practical function is to provide space for anyone who wants to sit down. The interior purpose is to complement the main set or to create contrast due to an unusual appearance.
Often they form a single ensemble with a sofa, which is very practical: there is no need to waste time selecting according to style and size. Manufacturers offer the following sofa designs that can be easily combined with an ottoman:
- Fixed. These sofas are only comfortable to sit on, so they are suitable for the interior of a bedroom, office, dressing room or bathroom. The room should be spacious enough to place an ottoman next to the upholstered furniture.
Kitchen-living room with L-shaped sofa Source design-homes.ru
- Folding. Transforming models are varied in their opening mechanism (for example, accordion, dolphin). They attract with their compactness when assembled, while after transformation they turn into a comfortable sleeping place. An ottoman looks appropriate next to a folding sofa if it is chosen correctly in style and size.
- Modular. Here the ottoman can be an independent product or part of a soft set. It also helps to create a place to rest at night, and also participates in sofa-constructor combinations, helping to change a boring environment.
Relaxation area with hints of Provence Source pinimg.com
Separate ottomans are also available for sale. They are indispensable in small rooms, where there is not enough space for a full bed. Such models unfold in length; they are equipped with different transformation mechanisms (manual and spring options are common). The ottoman ottoman is compact when assembled; Usually a box for bedding is built into it.
The owners of modern homes prefer modular sofas, complemented by an ottoman; what it is in the sofa, just a place to sit or something else, is decided by the owners themselves. The popularity is explained by the fact that the modules can be easily combined in any order, each time forming a new composition. It is also important that the details complement each other harmoniously and are made in the same style and color.
Zoning a studio room Source design-homes.ru
A sofa made of modules can be rectangular or semicircular; an ottoman always follows its proportions and outlines, thanks to which it fits into a given shape, while simultaneously increasing its area. The ottoman in the rectangular model can be located on the right or left. The modular design can be complemented by wooden armrests or a separate folding table hidden in one of the sections.
There are symmetrical models with two ottomans. Such an instance will require more space, but it also has more capabilities. Many options are complemented by design elements: shelves, a minibar, lighting, and spacious drawers are built into them.
In the living room with a fireplace Source remontbp.com
Manufacturing materials
Modern furniture comes in a wide variety. There are many ready-made designs on the market; if necessary, you can make a custom-made ottoman that will fully match the style of the sofa. Products consist of several elements:
- frame;
- filler;
- upholstery;
- legs
The frame is made from natural wood, chipboard, timber or plywood. The last two options are optimal in terms of cost and quality ratio. Products made from them last a long time, do not lose their performance properties and do not deform over time.
The fillings used are the same as in the sofa: synthetic fluff, struttofiber, holofiber. These artificial materials are hypoallergenic, hold their shape well, and do not accumulate dust. There are models with natural filling made from quilted padding, felt or wool. Another common option is a spring block. The most expensive are products with an orthopedic base.
For exterior decoration, natural and synthetic fabrics, as well as their combinations, are used. Ottomans made of leather and faux leather are popular. Textile products are environmentally friendly, but less durable. The most popular materials: matting, jacquard, flock, chenille.
The legs are made of wood, chromed metal or plastic. Steel and wooden models can withstand heavy loads; plastic is less stable, but costs less.
Plastic legs for ottomans have a special coating that imitates metal or wood.
Sintepooh
Holofiber
Struttofiber
Jacquard
Leather
Gozhka
Flock
Chenille
Use Cases
Few people can deny themselves the pleasure of lying on the couch, listening to music and simultaneously communicating on social networks. Therefore, the most comfortable upholstered furniture is chosen for the living room, allowing you to fully relax. An ottoman, as part of a set, can play a different role, which is determined by the type of sofa.
If you want to use it as an independent object and purchase it separately, it is important to choose a model of a certain configuration. An option with a hard filler and a flat top is suitable. A freestanding ottoman can be used in the following ways:
- As a substitute for a coffee table. This feature is especially useful in a guest room. The makeshift table has no corners, and its surface is elastic enough to support a tray with snacks and a tea set.
Ottoman with space for a tray Source remontbp.com
- Full seating area. A small ottoman perfectly replaces an armchair or chair. Thanks to its compact size, it saves useful space, as it can be easily hidden under the table.
- Footrest. A valuable (and healthy) option if you're used to spending your evenings watching TV shows, or working with a laptop on your lap while sitting on the couch. Choose a rectangular model, completely upholstered in soft material.
General purpose item Source hzcdn.com
- In the nursery space. Here, an ottoman can play a double role: as a place where it is convenient to store toys and organize games. Of course, a soft frameless model is preferable for a child’s room.
An ottoman as part of a modular sofa helps to form an L-shaped composition and, like the entire sofa, is used for seating. In addition, in some models it extends the sofa, and with its help they organize a place to sleep.
Central location of the furniture group Source pinimg.com
How to choose
When choosing furniture, we take into account the size of the living room and its load of furniture, as well as the style design. The choice is simplified if you want to buy an ottoman-chair or an ottoman-table. In this case, it is much easier to allocate space.
The task becomes more complicated if the ottoman is included in a set with a sofa or with a sofa and two armchairs. There should be enough space for all items; ideally, if the L-shaped model can be placed not against the wall, but closer to the center of the room. In a studio apartment, furniture can become an element of zoning. In a small living room, where the sofa is placed close to the wall, it is appropriate to think about a transforming design.
Scandinavian style studio Source archidom.ru
Decorative solutions
The ottoman is designed and decorated in the same way as the main structure. It is upholstered in the same fabric, the only thing is that the shade may differ. Decorative details can include small pillows or a blanket.
Diluted with decorative elements
Mostly they are decorated in a minimalist style. But, there are models that resemble a Turkish sofa, upholstered with a soft carpet and fringe. But, upon request, you can choose any design and components.
Design
The ottoman, although a small item, often becomes the center of attraction of the interior. Depending on the tastes of the owners and design objectives, its color is chosen to match or contrast with the interior. There are no universal solutions, but a single-color finish fits into the environment much easier and is easier to combine with textiles and decor.
Interior accent Source pinimg.com
Briefly about the main thing
An invention of the mysterious East, the ottoman has become one of the most versatile pieces of furniture. It is used in different interiors in living rooms, bedrooms, offices and bathrooms, but the most popular accessory is part of upholstered furniture.
Corner sofas with an ottoman, especially folding and modular ones, are popular. Such upholstered furniture will have enough space for the whole family, and the ottoman will provide additional comfort: you can put a tray on it or play a board game on it.
When choosing furniture, we focus on the style of the room, as well as its area. The models offered on the market are varied in shape, color and design, so you can choose the right accessory for any interior.
Furniture Features
An ottoman is a pouf that goes along with a sofa. They are the same style, color and design, but there are also contrasting models. It can be used as a regular pouf, placed next to the sofa as a separate seating area. There are models that can be used as a stand or a “mini” table.
Comfortable options with an ottoman in the interior
Such furniture structures can be placed not only in residential premises, but also in offices, the lobby of a shopping center, or a hotel.
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