What is an ottoman

Each piece of furniture in an apartment or house has its own purpose and is used purposefully. However, there are products that are multifunctional items. One of these furniture elements is an ottoman. It is distinguished by a wide variety of finishes, ease of everyday use and versatility.

Used in interiors of various styles. You can add a comfortable pouf to your living room, children's room or even a spacious kitchen. The flight of fancy with this piece of furniture is almost limitless.

Where did poufs come to us from?

The first mentions of the pouf have been known since the times of Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. It has always been a luxury item and was made from the most valuable and expensive materials. During the Middle Ages, its popularity faded away due to the great influence on all spheres of life of the Catholic Church, which preferred asceticism and simplicity.

At this time, even noble people used chairs with hard seats and backs for sitting, or simply sat on chests. There were no luxury items or rich decorations, and there were no poufs. It was only in the 18th century that the piece of furniture began to gain popularity again and appear in the noble houses of rich people.

The lack of a backrest and soft seat were very attractive to visitors to balls and salons.This shape of the soft chair helped to maintain the ideal smoothness of a luxurious dress and allowed a woman to sit comfortably in a rigid corset, which was customary to wear in those days.

IMPORTANT! Even today, a pouf is a comfortable piece of furniture on which you can comfortably sit and relax during a party or a quiet family evening, after a difficult day at work.

Today, the variety of poufs presented in salons differs in different shapes and materials from which these comfortable chairs are made. They are made from wood, plastic, weaving, and even in the form of a bag. Rich poufs, decorated with decorative elements and expensive fabrics, have not sunk into oblivion either.

External features of ottomans

A pouf is a soft chair that has a number of distinctive features from a banquette, sofa or ottoman, which are similar in functionality. You can see it in the photo.

• the height of the pouf is usually less than in other interior items;
• in appearance it is very different from chairs (visually it is a pillow that is stretched over a wooden or plastic frame; there are also frameless products);
• lack of backrest;
• legs may also be absent (but there are models with small, strong legs).

A small soft chair can be used in any interior style. It can visually smooth out the sharp corners of modern interiors or add luxury to the classic decoration of the room. Thanks to the lack of a backrest and compact dimensions, it will fit perfectly into a room of any size and shape.

How to choose a good ottoman?

Modern designers often cannot come to any one style when decorating a room. In this case, a clear mixture of styles is striking, which also looks very original.Thanks to the large selection of pouf models, you can choose an option that will fit perfectly into any environment. The main thing is that it is a truly high-quality and durable product. To do this, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the following points:

• you should not purchase furniture with a metal frame; it is better to give preference to models made of wood or plastic (if you chose a metal-based pouf, you should check it for rust on visible elements);
• the purchase must have a presentable appearance (this means that the upholstery material must be dense, not bristling, all seams are even and strong);
• It is better to refuse white products (such poufs get dirty too quickly, which will lead to frequent visits to the dry cleaner);
• when buying a transformer, you need to convince yourself that the mechanism is easy to assemble and disassemble (it is unacceptable for the pouf to become a real puzzle for the apartment owner).

The price of poufs varies depending on the shape and finishing materials. You should choose models with an average price policy that meet all stated requirements and quality guarantees.

What are ottomans used for?

The interior item has versatility and multifunctionality. It can be used in all rooms for completely different purposes:

• in the living room it will be an excellent option for sitting;
• in the hallway - an excellent chair for comfortable putting on and taking off shoes;
• in the nursery - a light chair that can easily be moved to the baby’s crib to put him to sleep;
• in the bedroom it can be used as a replacement for a nightstand or as additional storage space for anything.

There are many options for using a pouf.In addition to its immediate purpose - sitting on it, the pouf is often used as a footrest during evening relaxation after a hard day of work.

IMPORTANT! When choosing a product, it is better to give preference to lightweight structures that can be easily moved from place to place and simply unfolded.

Types of ottomans

This cute little chair can serve many purposes around the house or apartment. Therefore, there are several types of soft seats:

• footrest (this is an ideal accessory for complete relaxation; placing it next to the sofa and sitting comfortably, you can take a break from difficult everyday life in a short time; such models are rounded products with a recess in the center);
• transformers (original and universal models that help save space, which is especially important in small rooms; there are products that turn into several comfortable stools or a chair-bed, this is especially convenient for unexpected overnight guests);
• with drawers (drawers, hinged lid or opening doors, they allow you to hide small things, papers or other items important in everyday life inside the pouf, such models are preferable for people who value living space);
• with a back (this is a separate type of furniture, slightly different from the classic pouf, it is a small cozy chair that is equipped with legs or wheels; it is convenient to spend evenings in such a chair with family and friends, relaxing and enjoying stories and conversations);
• modular (often a pouf is an additional element to a sofa or armchair; it has rounded shapes and is covered with the same upholstery as upholstered furniture; this is an original and stylish addition to any interior);
• soft (this is a special type of poufs, they are made without a frame and are very comfortable for relaxation, filled with soft materials, and the cover is made of thick fabric, the product takes a shape that is comfortable for a person).

IMPORTANT! Any option chosen will be a good addition to the existing furniture in the room. The pouf will allow you to relax comfortably after a busy day with your family and loved ones.

Interesting facts about ottomans

Frameless poufs, or bean bags, as they are often called, still excite the minds of many buyers. Many parents doubt the usefulness of such a purchase for their children, believing that the soft shape will not be beneficial for the child’s spine that has not yet formed. This is actually a misconception. Taking the anatomical shape of the body, such a pouf allows you to relieve the load from the body of a teenager who has spent a lot of time at a desk or computer desk.

Designers also advise using stylish poufs in hallways. This is due to the fact that people who come to a house evaluate the apartment based on their first impression, and the first thing they see is the hallway. Beautifully designed, with a soft and comfortable pouf, it will immediately create a favorable impression and place guests in a positive mood.