Ottomans, sometimes also known as footstools or pouffes are most often used in living rooms. However, they can also be included in spaces such as the gaming room, the bedroom, the family room or the guest room. They have a very interesting design. Some ottomans are hollow on the inside and this allows them to be used for storage, becoming a 2- in-1 piece of furniture. Other ottomans of larger dimensions can become an alternative to the sofa.

Traditional lounge area with modern influences and a coral ottoman coffee table

The versatility of these pieces of furniture makes them highly adaptable to all types of interior design and décor. Another way of creatively using an ottoman is as a coffee table. Considering the shape and approximate dimensions, replacing the coffee table with an ottoman seems like a simple and expected choice.

Clean and stylish living room with a chic, padded white ottoman as a central pieceA two-color living room décor with a rectangular ottoman featuring built-in storageDark brown leather-upholstered ottoman on a zebra-patterned accent rug

Also, ottomans are, by definition, padded or upholstered seats or benches and they have neither backrests nor arms. This makes a quite unusual alternative to coffee tables but, at the same time, it makes them a rather original and creative solution.

Delicate, rounded ottoman used as a coffee table replacement in an eclectic living roomTraditional, striped ottoman complemented by matching decorative pillowsTraditional family room featuring a leather storage ottoman as a coffee tableChic blue table ottoman with a subtle white border in a neutral living room

An ottoman coffee table can be the spark a living room needs to break the monotony of the interior décor. The texture and design of the ottoman may also be a much better choice for a modern or contemporary interior, in comparison with a coffee table.

Simple ottoman coffee table with a built-in storage shelf underneathSimple and elegant white ottoman with dark wooden legs and matching living room furnitureMatching sofa and ottoman with soft padded upholstery and beautiful texturesFormal but comfortable and inviting living room with casual accent pieces

It’s a way of making the décor stand out and a way of creating a subtle focal point without necessarily using bold colors. Also, it’s often easy to find matching sofas and ottomans so this can also be a way of creating symmetry in the décor. But let’s take a look at a few concrete examples in order to better understand this concept.

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.