Ottomans are, in our minds, a truly timeless piece of furniture. First introduced in Europe via Turkey in the 18th century, these accent pieces can act as foot rests or even provide hidden storage, making them fantastic in living rooms and bedrooms alike.
Martha Stewart's line for Wayfair has some fantastic ottoman ideas, though there is one piece in partciular that has caught our eye thanks to its effortless style and fantastic price.
The Ellen Striped Upholstered Ottoman (available at Wayfair) is a hexagonal, compact piece that provides some neutral color and muted pattern – and it's on sale for less than half its original price. Its New England style aesthetic stopped us in our scrolling tracks, and we think you'll love it just as much, whether you live in the Northeast or not.
The stripes on this angular ottoman give the piece a traditional yet coastal feel, perfect for lightening up a living room.
According to experets, ottoman placement is crucial in ensuring that it fits into a space well.
'Ottomans work great in bedrooms, especially when there’s plenty of space at the foot of the bed,' says Sophie Clemson, director and co-founder of The Living House. 'They offer extra storage and additional seating within the room.'
She continues, 'To style an ottoman, place a cushion or two leaning up the foot of the bed and drape a throw over it to complete the look. Ottomans in bedrooms are a great way to add both pattern and storage. You can choose a beautifully patterned fabric for visual interest or opt for a plain design to introduce texture.'
Beyond the bedroom, Sophie says that living rooms make great locations for ottomans, with their multi-purpose nature coming into play.
'We love incorporating ottomans into our living room designs, they’re a versatile and multifunctional piece of furniture,' she explains. 'Placed in the centre of the living room, an ottoman can serve as a footstool, a coffee table with a tray on top, extra seating, and even hidden storage. It’s perfect for keeping clutter out of sight, especially kids’ toys!'
Below, we have rounded up some other ottoman options, all of which are also on sale at Wayfair.
Shop the Martha Stewart ottoman edit
The skirting on this tufted, grey ottoman gives it a regal look, while the pleats add definition and volume.
Much like open shelving, this open storage ottoman doubles as a space to display decorative objects.
We love the oval shape of this ottoman, which is timeless and has a historied feel.
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