What is a living room without a coffee table?
Evolution of coffee table started in Europe with the idea of a table specifically used for serving hot drinks or putting down one's cup between sips. The first wooden tables specifically designed and called tea tables, were made during the late Victorian era in Britain.
Leather Storage Ottomans
However today coffee table has evolved into something that does more than just hold coffee cups, they are style statement in themselves and centre piece of our proud living rooms. Instead of a regular hard wood or glass table top table where you can just set things down, one may choose a totally different option- accent furniture crafted out of fabric, leather or faux leather, even microfiber.
That's Ottoman - a little different coffee table for you!
Ottoman traditionally is defined as an upholstered seat without arms or a back, commonly they'd be paired with chairs to be used to put up feet and relax. The piece got its name from the ornate fabrics used to cover footstools that came from the Ottoman Turks in the 13th century. Victorians loved Turkish couches & used them as decorative & functional furniture pieces.
Although ottomans have been used in the interiors for years, this often overlooked piece of furniture is now making a bold statement in the interiors.Today ottoman, once considered mere footrest has become an interesting piece of furniture- coffee table, extra seating, storage space all rolled in one.
What makes ottoman coffee tables so special?
First of all it is a stylish and multipurpose piece of furniture. Secondly place an upholstered ottoman in your room and you can be sure that you have made a style statement. This furniture of humble origins is now regarded as accent furniture.
Ottoman coffee tables are ideal for pairing with any room seating since they are available in multiple shapes and sizes. There are traditional options that are longer, rectangular, round, square, they can be octagonal, triangular or free form. To suit contemporary living room interiors they are available in modern and sleek, clean symmetrical looks, while others that are very eccentric and have an art deco feel accentuate similar interiors. Then there are classical options that have a very delicate, antique appearance which very well go with ethnic or traditional style decor.
If you want to furnish and decorate your living room in a unique way, then ottoman coffee tables are perfect answer. Also it can add an accent color into the room. Best of all, ottomans may also provide extra storage space with built-in cabinets. With such diversity in designs, sizes, upholstery & function, ottomans can be used in just about any room of the house.
Here are a few tips on various ways to use upholstered ottomans:
- Place a pair of outdoor ottomans made of wood, aluminum or wicker covered with firm cushion in your patio or balcony & create a comfortable reading area sans the bulky chairs & table.
- Place them against the wall; bring them out as extra seating when you have a lot of guests.
- A firm upholstered ottoman as a centre table without the sharp edges of a traditional coffee table provides a safe alternative for families with children.
- For the space challenged this versatile couch can also have an extra storage space inside. Have them on castors & you can just slide them out of the way to create space for kids play.
- Add casual elegance or accent color, cover your ottoman in leather or luxury fabrics & give your living room a unique touch.
- Not to forget, place it next to your sofa, prop up your feet on it and relax- a gesture not so comfortable- on a table.
In the end if you are planning to design any part of your home, indoors or outdoors as sophisticated modern or minimalist & sleek or traditionally ethnic or a casual chic, experiment with this free floating piece of furniture which can remain humbly functional as you like it, will suit any kind of décor you like and will also accentuate your décor in an unpredictably stylish way.