What is an ottoman? An ottoman is an upholstered, cushioned seat or bench without a back or arms that can serve multiple purposes — from a footrest to extra seating to even a coffee table or storage. This versatile piece of furniture has been a staple in homes for ages, yet it’s often forgotten when homeowners are choosing furniture for their space. In fact, many people still aren't quite sure what ottomans do or whether they need one.
If you’re furnishing your living room, bedroom, or any other space that could use a multipurpose hero, an ottoman just might be the missing puzzle piece to your overall design.
Living Designs Furniture creates custom ottomans for any room, any need, and any aesthetic. No matter what shape, size, or functionality you desire for your ottoman, we can bring your vision to life.
What is an ottoman used for?
Wondering what an ottoman is good for? One of the best things about ottomans is that they are multipurpose pieces. Depending on your needs, an ottoman can have many different functions in your home. Here are the most popular ways people use ottomans:
Footrests
A footstool ottoman is probably the most traditional use for this piece of furniture. After a long day, there's nothing quite like kicking your feet up while you relax on the couch. An ottoman positioned in front of your sofa or favorite armchair provides the perfect place to elevate your legs, improving your overall comfort. Whether you're watching TV, reading a book, or just unwinding, a footstool ottoman makes your seating area exponentially more comfortable.
Extra seating
Sometimes, even the largest sectionals and sofas don’t provide a spot for everyone to sit. Having an ottoman as seating alongside your couches and chairs is great when you’re hosting guests and need extra seating. Since ottomans don't have backs or arms, they're easy to move around and don't take up as much visual space as traditional chairs. If you customize your ottomans to match your sectional, sofa, and armchairs, it will blend seamlessly into the space.
Coffee tables
An ottoman coffee table is becoming an increasingly popular choice. By placing an ottoman in the center of your living room seating area, you create a soft, stylish surface that can hold drinks, books, remotes, and decorative trays. Many people top their ottoman coffee tables with a large tray to create a stable surface for drinks and décor.
Unlike traditional coffee tables with hard edges and corners, ottoman coffee tables are softer and safer. This can be a great option if you have smaller children who could get hurt on the sharp corners of a regular coffee table.
Storage
Using an ottoman as a storage unit is a game-changer for anyone trying to maximize space in their home. These clever designs feature a hinged top that lifts to reveal hidden storage inside — perfect for stashing throw blankets, pillows, kids' toys, or anything else you want to keep handy but out of sight. A storage ottoman gives you all the functionality of a regular ottoman while also helping you keep your living room tidy and organized.
What are the benefits of having an ottoman?
Still on the fence about whether an ottoman is right for you? Here are some compelling reasons why this piece of furniture might be exactly what your space needs:
- Extra seating that doesn't crowd your room. Unlike bulky armchairs or loveseats, ottomans provide additional seating options without overwhelming your floor plan. They're perfect for smaller living rooms or spaces where you want to maintain an open, airy feel while still accommodating guests.
- Multipurpose: Few furniture items are as versatile as an ottoman. In a single day, your ottoman might serve as your morning footrest, transform into a coffee table for afternoon snacks, provide extra seating for evening guests, and then become a storage spot for throw blankets before bed. That's serious value from one piece of furniture.
- Instant lounging upgrade. Position an ottoman at the end of your couch and suddenly you've got a chaise-like setup — perfect for stretching out with a good book or taking a Sunday afternoon nap. You get all the comfort of a chaise sectional without committing to a larger furniture piece if you don’t have the space for it.
- An easy style refresh. Want to update your living room without replacing all your furniture? An ottoman in a bold fabric, rich texture, or unexpected color can completely change the vibe of your space. It's a low-commitment way to experiment with mixing furniture styles or furniture trends.
- Versatility beyond the living room. Ottomans aren't just for living room seating. Place one at the foot of your bed as a bench for getting dressed (see example photo below), use it in your entryway as a spot to sit while putting on shoes, or add one to a home office for flexible seating. Wherever you need a little extra comfort and function, an ottoman can get it done.
- Safe and practical for families. If you have young children or pets, an ottoman is a smart choice. The soft, cushioned surface and lack of hard corners mean fewer worries about bumps and bruises. Plus, when you choose performance fabrics like Crypton, you get stain and odor resistance that stands up to real life — spills, muddy paws, you name it.
Why you should consider a custom ottoman
While you can certainly find mass-produced ottomans at big-box retailers, there's something special about getting a custom piece that's made exactly to your specifications — especially if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Who can make custom ottomans? Living Designs Furniture is a local Houston furniture store that specializes in custom living room furniture and more. With our design expertise, you can design an ottoman that perfectly fits your space, style, and needs.
Here are the reasons why customizing an ottoman for your home makes perfect sense:
Perfect sizing for your space.
Not all living rooms are created equal, and sometimes standard-sized furniture just doesn't work. With custom ottomans from Living Designs Furniture, you can specify exactly the dimensions you need — whether that's a narrow bench-style footstool ottoman, a large square ottoman coffee table to anchor your living room, or a small round pouf to tuck beside your reading chair.
Endless fabric and color options.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a local manufacturer is the ability to choose from an extensive selection of fabrics and colors. Living Designs Furniture offers premium performance fabrics like Crypton, which resist stains, moisture, and odors — making them ideal for families with kids and pets. You can match your ottoman to your existing furniture or use it as an opportunity to introduce a pop of color or pattern into your space.
Any shape can be made in any configuration.
Custom ottomans aren't limited to boring rectangles or circles. Want a hexagonal ottoman? An oversized tufted square? A curved bench that follows the shape of your sectional? Our designers can make it happen. This level of customization is especially valuable when you're trying to create a cohesive look with your other furniture or when you're working with a challenging room layout.
Style experimentation.
Ottomans are one of the most versatile (and overlooked) pieces for mixing furniture styles. A modern, sleek ottoman can soften the look of traditional furniture, while a tufted, classic ottoman can add warmth to a contemporary space. Don't be afraid to choose an ottoman in a bold color or pattern! Since ottomans are relatively small pieces, they're a low-risk way to introduce something unexpected into your room.
Quality construction that lasts.
When you order custom living room furniture from Living Designs Furniture, you're getting furniture that's built to last. Each piece is handcrafted in-house using only the finest and top-quality materials that are meant to be lived on. Unlike mass-produced furniture that's glued and stapled together, custom upholstered pieces are built with proper joinery, quality foam, and durable construction methods that ensure your ottoman will look great for years to come.
Create your very own custom ottoman with Living Designs Furniture
If you value versatility, comfort, and style in your living room, then you would probably benefit from having an ottoman. Whether you're looking for a footstool ottoman to make your favorite chair more comfortable, an ottoman coffee table to replace a traditional hard-surface table, or an ottoman as seating to accommodate guests, this piece of furniture can do it all.
When you choose to work with Living Designs Furniture to create custom ottomans tailored to your exact specifications, you're not just getting furniture — you're getting a piece that's made right here in Houston, built to your standards, and designed to fit seamlessly into your home. From selecting the perfect fabric to choosing the ideal size and shape, every detail is in your hands…with the help of our designers, of course.
Visit Living Designs Furniture — the Houston furniture store Texans trust — to explore your options and start designing the perfect custom ottoman for your home.
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