Traditional Sofas

Ottomans Furniture

Popular Styles of Ottomans

An ottoman can simply be described as a chair without any arms or back, but it is most commonly used as a foot rest. The seat is usually padded or upholstered and it is commonly used as a stool or footstool. Many ottomans are designed to be used for storage space. These ottomans are hollow and the cushioned top can be removed to access stored items.

A Brief History

The name ‘ottoman’ is derived from a situation which occurred when Egypt was still a part of the Ottoman Empire. When the French invaded Egypt during the late 18th century, the Ottomans endured many forms of punishment, especially so of the feet. Footstools were fashioned to rest weary and tortured feet. When the French returned to Europe, they took with them the newly fashioned design. Apparently the piece became very popular in Europe and it was given the name “ottoman” to tribute it to its origin.

The name was introduced into the English language in the early 1800’s. An ottoman is also known as a tuffet (remember little Miss Muffet who sat on one), pouf or hassock. All these names refer to a footstool or a low upholstered seat that is completely covered by fabric. The original tuffets or poufs showed no legs hence the complete covering by chosen fabrics. Feet or legs were added for more stability and also the introduction of new designs and styles. A stool, which had storage space under the seat, was at first generally known as an ottoman. Churchgoers often made use of hassocks to kneel on when in prayer. These thick cushions eventually became known as ottomans.

Ottomans in the Modern Home

The ottoman has made its comeback into modern décor with such a magnificent bang that few interior decorators would dare to leave it off his or her list of furniture essentials. The mere versatility of the stool is enough to give any decorator a vast number of ideas. The simple footstool has been magically transformed to be used for more than just resting weary feet.

Ottomans can be designed in a multitude of shapes, sizes and styles. This is unlike in the old days when it was simply a wooden box with an upholstered seat. To crown it all in many instances it was not even a very comfortable box. The sophisticated modern day designs are luxurious, trendy and automatically add class and style to a home. Not to mention maximize seating areas. This can be a very annoying problem when extra seating is required for unexpected guests.

Larger ottomans that are suitable for bigger spaces are utilized as an extra seat if the need arises. As it can also be converted into a coffee table, it is one of the most popular choices of many homemakers and decorators. The large kidney shaped ottoman can be used as a ‘love seat’ in the lounge or bedroom. It can be covered with anything like striped zebra animal skin to luxurious brocade. More practical or hardwearing fabrics are of course another option. It can also be upholstered to match existing furniture and interior.

Ottomans for Luxurious Outdoor Living

With outdoor living and entertaining becoming increasingly popular, trendy outdoor furniture has become a necessary requirement. Outdoor and patio ottomans have been included in many new ranges. The furniture is usually designed to withstand all weather conditions as well as provide comfort and convenience. Hardwood is a good choice for outdoor furniture as it is extremely resistant to rot or any other form of decay. Made with only straight grained and even colored wood, the rich finish lends it a quality that is hard to beat. Grandinroad is a company that specializes in quality hardwood furniture.

Furniture made of wicker and rattan has also proven to be highly versatile, durable as well as stylish. South Sea Rattan is a well known manufacturer and supplier. This is popular choice for outdoor or patio furniture as the materials are 100% natural and resistant to many forms of decay. The flexibility of rattan allows it to be woven into the most beautiful designs and styles. Rattan and wicker furnishing are usually complimented with bright colors. This is to give a feel of the tropical climate from whence it originates. The ottomans are fitted with a matching upholstered cushion with the exposed rattan and wicker frames and legs matching the rest of the furniture.

Ottomans made up of commercial grade aluminum and durable resin weave are perfect for outdoor use. As both materials are hardwearing and durable, it will have no problem withstanding the elements. North Cape International is a leading manufacturer in outdoor furniture and specializes in these materials. The ottoman designs are usually low but spacious. A huge range of fabrics and colors are available.

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This entry was posted on Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 5:58 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.