An ottoman is commonly understood as a plush footrest. Used along with a sofa, chair, or couch, it provides a handy way to put up your feet and relax. Other uses of the ottoman include using it as a stool or a side table. Indeed, the ottoman is very handy as a piece of furniture, and as a living room essential but the history of an ottoman is a bit perplexing with some clear answers and a lot of grey areas. The basic layout of an ottoman suggests an upholstered type of seat without arms and a backrest, much like a well-cushioned stool is an ottoman. Expected to have a good weight-bearing capacity and be ultra-versatile in its form and application, the ottoman certainly has Turkish origins. Furniture historians will agree that they evolved during the course of the Ottoman Empire, somewhere during the 18th century when they were used primarily as a seating option. It is said that the earlier form of the ottoman had more cushions layered atop and gradually, the smaller, more compact design emerged, but it is difficult to quote the exact years when this transition happened.
There are some other versions of the origins of the ottoman, the more famous one being related to the French invasion of the Ottoman Empire where this piece of furniture perhaps engaged attention as a footrest first and made its way to Europe, via the French. This ottoman history also traces the use of the word ‘ottomane' in France, during the early 1700s. The shape of the ottoman has changed across its evolution, from Persia to France, and then to the western nations where it started appearing more in the lobbies of hotels, often regarded as a means of making a seating arrangement more luxurious or complete looking. During the 19th century, more changes were observed, with the ottomans started getting more circular and even eight-sided designs were seen. With time, a range of fabrics, upholstery accessories like buttons, and storage options emerged.
Today, the ottoman is seen as a living room essential. It can be created using various fabrics and infinite color combinations. Modern ottomans can be ultra-luxurious or very functional. They can be very informal around the house or a part of the workplace décor. For commercial settings, like those seen at a luxury hotel, stylish ottomans add to the flair, rendering a bit of decadent, laidback charm. Ottoman usage is a combination of some conventional applications and some creativity that has emerged over the years, not limited to being the secondary stool or an additional seating option—back in the day, talking about a cocktail ottoman might have been looked upon as a crazy idea!
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