No matter which purpose of an ottoman you have in mind, chances are that you will be overwhelmed with the range of choices on offer. Yes, ottoman functions and ottoman designs have evolved over the years, and still, new designs continue to emerge in this domain. Positioned as an accent piece, a footrest, or a centre table, the ottoman is indeed multifunctional, but its utility/intended application is affected by its shape. If you are searching for the best-designed ottoman for the living room, bedroom, hallway, or dining area, consider these basic ottoman shapes:
Cube Shape Ottomans
This ottoman design is popular because of its compact form. It easily occupies the shape around the emptier areas of the room. Cube ottomans can be small enough to play the role of a pouf while the bigger ones might offer some storage space also. Cube design ottomans are usually easy to move around, adorned with soft edges, and are not as bulky as a rectangular ottoman bench. A cube ottoman offers an easy way to subtly add some seating area around the dining table that seems short of hosting one more guest. Aesthetically, there is very little that can go wrong with a cube-shaped design as it does not conflict with any other shape or form in the living room.
Square Shape Ottomans
Square ottomans are perfect for homeowners who like the simplicity of design and choose clean lines over highly decorative elements with contrasting forms. Square ottomans are also recommended to people who don’t have a defined type of decor or theme as the tufted, squared look seems to complement all home decor themes, ranging from Scandinavian and contemporary to vintage-inspired, and classical. Square ottomans fit the role when you need an additional piece of furniture to extend the seating area near a sofa without investing in a new armchair or wing chair. Square ottomans in a sober upholstered look help to unify the seating area, often placed along corners of the room, often substituting for a coffee table.
Rectangular Shape Ottomans
If you have been contemplating buying a coffee table but you are not very sure about its long-time utility of it, consider a smart and equally effective substitute in the form of a rectangular ottoman. Almost as useful as coffee tables, rectangle ottomans promise the same type of utility, ready-to-host books, reading material, and coasters. This ottoman design is often chosen to replace a missing upholstered bench, aligned with a sofa. The rectangular form is usually bigger than that of a pouf or a footrest, which are more compact [smaller] in form.
Round Shape Ottomans
If you seek slightly traditional designs, round ottomans are perhaps the perfect choice, as the earliest ottomans are considered to be round in shape and still remain a timeless option. As comfortable and versatile as cube ottomans, round ottomans are easier to create small spaces within a big living room. Put a couple of chairs around a round ottoman, and you have created a small, slightly demarcated snacking or dining spot within the living room. If you feel that the living room seems to have too many straight, geometric, or grid-like shapes, use the round ottoman to offset the arrangement and add a bit of softness to the visuals. Interior designers use round ottomans to add more depth to a room—a trick known to any seasoned home designer. From coffee time nooks to reading spots or conversation zones, whenever you want to create designated areas within the living area, consider round ottomans.
Shape-related Ottoman Ideas for Living Room
The ottoman’s shape decides how well it can be integrated with the existing living room furniture
- Most people prefer maintaining a fundamental contrast by combining rectangular sofa arrangements with round ottomans or rectangular ottomans with bigger sofas that have thickly-tufted, rounded look
- Brightly colored, differently textured ottomans help to create a focal point in the room
- Ottomans can help to conceal the edges of sofas that might be wearing off with age or certain patches on the lower wall with signs of wear & tear
- Different types of ottomans can also be combined to create an aesthetic contrast
- Ottomans with straighter lines, like square and rectangular ottomans, align better with beds
- People who tend to move around the ottomans more often might be better off with cube ottomans and rounded designs
Besides these common ottoman shapes, triangular ottomans have also made their presence felt. When choosing one, assume that ottomans with more definition along the edges/corners tend to infuse a bit of classic aura whereas rounded ottomans are associated with welcoming, warm vibes.