Ottomans for all occasions

The unsung heroes of almost every living space, ottomans offer so much more than a piece of furniture for putting your feet up on, as our experts explain.

“An ottoman is a great way to add a pop of colour to a room, but pick a colour that contrasts and fits in with your existing colour scheme. Since the idea behind using an ottoman is to relax and be comfortable when propping your feet up, an ottoman’s height should match the height of a chair’s seat.” – Sue McCoubrey, Block & Chisel

Block & Chisel

“Variety is key when it comes to the current trends for ottomans. We’re loving the Scandi style that incorporates shaggy fabrics and geometric patterns (much like a Berber rug). We’re also seeing a burst of flora- and fauna-inspired fabrics featuring large blooms and exotic animal prints.” – Karin Cawthorne, KARE

KARE

“Ottomans are now becoming the focal point of the room and serving the function of ‘all eyes on me’ décor. These nifty furniture pieces can be the key to pulling a whole design together by making all the colours and textures work together. And they add a functional element in terms of being multifunctional as impromptu seating solutions, coffee or side tables and footrests.” – Alon Sachs, Mobelli Furniture + Living

Mobelli Furniture + Living

“Ottomans add extra seating, an element of fun and help to visually break up spaces. We’ve found the current trends for ottomans include very organically shaped pieces in richer toned colours including midnight blue, emerald green and mustard.” – Danielle Beck, Roche Bobois

Roche Bobois

“When it comes to ottomans, we suggest playing with shape, texture, design and different textiles. With more and more people moving into smaller spaces across the globe, the need for stylish, smart and multi-purpose furnishings that are adaptable to different spaces is definitely making waves this year.” – Margaret Steenkamp, Woodbender