Ottoman Coffee Table Guide

My top recommendations for Ottoman Coffee Tables

Ottoman coffee tables are rapidly growing both for their style and practicality. I would venture to guess that they are the fastest growing segment in the market place. They are a bit more casual than other styles of coffee tables.

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I love ottoman coffee tables as they serve many purposes. First, they are a design statement, second, they double as a coffee table and foot rest (and sometimes can even become an extension of your couch (great for watching movies with a blanket). Third, they provide great storage space as there is ample room for books, blankets or whatever. And fourth, when needed, they can provide additional seating areas for guests.

 

Note: You can click on most of the pictures and you can buy these items online and have them directly sent to you. Most have free shipping.

Click here for my full coffee table guide for recommendations on size/dimensions and shapes for coffee tables.

Outline for this Ottoman Coffee Table Guide

1. Origin of the term ottoman and history

2. Styles and colors of ottomans

3. Price Ranges for ottoman coffee tables

4. Advantages of ottoman coffee tables

5. Square ottoman coffee tables

6. Round ottoman coffee tables

7. Rectangular ottoman coffee tables

8. What is pouf furniture?

 

 

Origin of the term ottoman and what is an ottoman?

An Ottoman refers to a low piece of furniture with no back and no arms that is/was often used as a footstool and/or an extra seat. Ottomans are usually deeply upholstered and come in many shapes. Ottomans were introduced into Europe in the late 1700’s from Turkey (formerly known as the Ottoman Empire) and hence the name. Ottomans were originally piled with cushions and became a central piece of domestic seating. Now, they have evolved into multi-use coffee tables, seats and storage areas.

History of ottomans

The word ottomane appeared as early as 1729 in French as a piece of furniture. The first known recorded use in English occurs in one of Thomas Jefferson’s books from 1789.

Originally, ottomans were designed as low seats (sometimes called hassocks) as a piece of fitted furniture that would go around a full 3 walls of a room (often with back pillows in some sections). They looked and felt different than the ottomans we are accustomed to today and looked a bit more like futons.

From here, a smaller version evolved that was designed to just fit in the corner of the room. In the Ottoman Empire itself, an ottoman was the central piece of family seating and was piled with cushions for extra comfort.

As the 19th century progressed, ottomans became circular or octagonal, some with arms radiating from the center, which divided the seating space into sections, and others with a central, padded column, which often supported a plant or statue that guests could lean on. The growth of club and saloon life stimulated the proliferation of ottomans as more people could site there and socialize. Over time, many of the ottomans were designed with hinged areas underneath to hold books or magazines.

The ottoman footstool, a closely allied piece of furniture, was an upholstered footstool often with four legs or wheels, which could also be used as a fireside seat. By the 1900’s the word ottoman encompassed both of these forms. These footstool pieces (sometimes called hassocks, pouf-style ottoman or pouffés) were designed to match arm chairs, and over time some evolved to include storage areas.

Today, ottomans have evolved into functional coffee tables. They are an easy piece of furniture to accessorize with and many like the multi-uses of this piece of furniture.

Many ottomans are hollow and can be used for storage. Ottomans can be used in many rooms including living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms (as an extra storage area and bench for putting on socks/clothes), as well as guest rooms. They can be used with sofas or instead of sofas, pending the size of the room.

Styles and colors of ottomans

Ottomans can either either be the same color as the sofas or a contrasting color. Some prefer same the same color for uniformity, others contrast the color to tie in with other furniture or items of the room, while some will use ottomans as a way to introduce a bright color to the room. There is no right or wrong choice here; it’s a matter of style and preference and overall decor of the room.

Ottomans come in many shapes and styles as well as fabrics. The most popular fabric is leather, but other choices include suede, brushed cotton prints and richly colored fabrics. The most popular shape for coffee table is square, followed by round and rectangular. You can also find hexagons and other interesting shapes.

 

Price ranges for Ottomans

Ottomans, like any other piece of furniture vary in price from around $50 to $10,000+. But, the majority are very reasonably priced, generally in the $150-$900 range, pending on the materials used, size, and features. Because they are reasonably priced and come in a variety of styles, they are becoming more popular, especially among younger consumers.

Advantages Ottoman Coffee Tables

1. Multi-use: Can be used as coffee table, extra seating, extension of couch for reclining and storage. Multi-use without taking up more space
2. Very stylish
3. Reasonably priced

Square Ottoman Coffee Tables

Square ottoman coffee tables are great for large spaces, L-shaped sectionals and sofa love seat combos. Below are some great ottoman coffee tables that are square and reasonably priced. Many come in multiple colors.

 

Simpli Home Avalon Coffee Table Storage Ottoman with 4 Trays

This is available in midnight black, brown, fawn brown (fabric), red, cream, and slate gray (fabric)

• 4 serving trays
• Storage area
• faux leather with stitching
• hand constructed with solid and engineered wood
• 35″ x 35″ x 18″ high

 

Convenience Concepts Designs4Comfort Times Square with 4 Tray Tops

• Espresso faux leather
• Hinged wood
• Solid wood feet
• 4 reversible trays
• Large storage area
• 34.5″ x 34.5″x 19.5″ high

 

Simpli Home Dover Square Coffee Table Ottoman with split lift up lid

Available in black, brown, slate gray, red, and cream

• Wood construction with leather
• Durable tufted design
• Child safety hinge
• Extra large storage
• 36″ x 36″ x 20″ in height
• Made in USA

 

Homeware Stella Ottoman with espresso finish graphite

I love this style. It gores great with black, gray or white/cream sofas. Stylish and chic. Available in different patterns.

• 100% cotton on top
• Tapered legs
• 38″ x 38″ x 17″ in height
• Made in USA

 

Round Ottoman Coffee Tables

Belham Living Corbett Coffee Table with Storage Ottoman

• Bonded leather and wood
• flip storage
• 35″ x 35″ x 14″
• Rounded and padded

 

 

Madison Park Martin Surfboard Tufted Ottoman – Gray

This is actually an oval. It’s chic and sophisticated.

• Available in gray and linen
• 48″ wide x 27.5 in depth and 18″ in height
• Made with hardwood

Rectangular Ottoman Coffee Tables

Simpli Home Avalon Faux Leather Rectangular Storage Ottoman with 3 serving trays

Available in brown, black, slate gray, cream natural, red and olive green.

• Great for storage
• PU leather
• Handcrafted with solid and engineered wood
• 42″ long x 17″ wide and 17″ high

 

Dorel Living Chevron Storage Ottoman

• Grey and white chevron pattern fabric
• Ample storage
• Nicely padded for a comfortable feel
• Matching chair and pillows available

 

What is pouf furniture?

A pouf is a large solid cushion, usually cylindrical or cubic, used as a seat and/or foot rest. They are a variation on of ottomans. They have become more popular as they are 1) versatile, come in many shapes and sizes that fit into almost any space, 3) come in a large variety of styles, colors, textures and patterns, 4) they are inexpensive. They are both functional and decorative.

 

Here are some other great ottoman coffee table ideas from Wayfair.

 

Where can you buy ottoman coffee tables online?

These will take you directly to the ottoman coffee table sections where you can buy these items directly.

• Amazon
• Wayfair

Other useful Coffee table articles:

Ultimate Coffee Table Buying Guide

Round coffee table guide

Square coffee table guide

Advantages of Lift top coffee tables

Accessories and decorating suggestions for your coffee table

 

Ottoman Coffee Table Guide

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