It is easy to believe that ottomans and poufs are the same, with their similar, upholstered appearance. While the history of ottomans suggests that they were used as poufs and as footstools, the contemporary retail space for furniture differentiates between ottomans, poufs, and footstools.
The Similarity First
A big reason to feel confused among footstools, poufs, and ottomans is that they are often referred to as upholstered stools. All three are versatile, easy to be used interchangeably, and come without a backrest or armrest.
The big similarities:
· Low stance
· Upholstered look
· Ease of moving around
· Available in smaller, compact designs
· Can be used as a secondary seating option
· Space-saving options that don’t eat up the floor area
· Often bought as colourful accents that liven up the setting
· Richness of choices: colours, textures, patterns, and fabrics
· Categorised as home décor accessories and not furniture essentials
· Can create a visual contrast or complete existing living room setting
But look closely, and you will realize some differences such as:
The Outline, Basic Design
Ottomans are perhaps the biggest of the three, upholstered stools that have a more defined frame. The structured design of the ottoman ensures it provides a comfortable extra seat. This is why ottomans are most likely to be heavier as compared to conventional footrests, stools, or poufs. While bigger ottomans might help to complete the look of a sofa in the living room, a footstool or pouf is unlikely to do the same. The latter two options are better at creating a contrasting accent, placed near an armchair or a coffee table in a striking colour. Ottomans are expected to offer a firmer top. Just consider upholstered, particularly tufted ottomans, that are firm enough to double up a console table or be used for extra seating near the dining area. In comparison, footstools have a leaner, simpler design whereas rounded/spherical poufs come without a wooden frame within them that lends a basic outline to the unit’s design.
Use of Legs
Ottomans and footrests are more likely to have stabilizing legs for a confident stance that is vital to their multidimensional usage. Poufs usually come without legs, and this also compromises their ability to serve as a serious seating option—staying seated on a pouf for longer hours can get uncomfortable. In comparison, coffee table ottomans and cocktail ottomans have clearly defined legs and a stronger structure, making them as useful as a side table as they come closer to offering a table-like countertop. Footrests might look like humble cousins of ottomans, but they usually have an impressive weight-bearing capacity, which combined with firm legs, makes them useful to put up your feet.
Decorative Accents
The ottoman perhaps provides a better blend of functionality and style as it can be created using different types of fabrics for more textures and colours without compromising its seating capacity or tabletop-like functions. Poufs can be highly decorative too, and it is common to find homeowners buy poufs purely because of an amazing colour on offer rather than the functionality, purely for the sake of creating a pop of colour in the living room. Footstools are comparatively sedate, more laidback and sober-looking. The footrest is not expected to be integrated with the main areas of the living room or be a permanent part of the sofa arrangement and in terms of decorative styling, it loses to an ottoman and a pouf.
Degree of Cushioning
A pouf is often referred to as an oversized cushion because it has that typical, overstuffed, or pillow-like look. This might make some people believe that the cushioning in a pouf is a lot more than in ottomans. However, premium ottomans can be as densely cushioned, albeit the cushioning is better compressed and shaped, in a heavily upholstered look. Footrests or footstools are least likely to be intensely cushioned though you might come across some luxury-end footstools with a well-cushioned look.
Range of Application
The ottoman is the superior option of the three, capable of being used as an organiser [storage ottomans], side table [coffee table ottomans], additional seating [ottomans integrated with sofas], and as a decorative accent [upholstered ottomans]. It is also easy to find smaller, compact ottomans that function as a stool, footrest, or footstool, and can replace the pouf too! However, poufs or footstools can seldom replace an ottoman. Big poufs are more of decorative furnishings and footstools are designed more humbly, limiting the range of their usage. Big armchairs are often sold with a footrest and ottomans are often recommended with a living room sofa, but a pouf is most likely to be a standalone purchase, a furnishing accessory option that can be taken to any setting in the home. Ottomans can replace a blanket box or a chest of drawers but the pouf and a typical footstool cannot do the same.
Making an Educated Choice
Imagine the immense possibilities of using the ottoman box that conceals so much storage area for magazines, books, pillows, or throws. Now, compare this with the footstool or a pouf and the difference is clear–slightly bigger ottomans are the outright winner. Smaller, compact ottomans bought purely for their decorative element compete with a pouf and smaller ottomans with a firmer top compete with a conventional footstool. Some applications clearly demand just one option. For instance, the hallway décor of an office or the hotel cannot have a pouf or a footstool, and only a well-groomed ottoman is an option. A home with pets where dogs or cats are often found relaxing on the seating furniture can use a small ottoman more than a pouf or footstools, offering a safe abode for the pet to relax/sleep. Homes with designated dressing rooms are better served with small ottomans or footstools that look the part, functioning as comfortable stools. A smartly chosen, multi-function ottoman offers a near-perfect blend of all three options!