4 Expert Tips To Choose Ottomans And Poufs

Both are revolutionary pieces of accent furniture, meaning, beyond being functional, they offer aesthetic excitement and hence uplift the appeal of the entire interior.

Ottoman has its roots in the chaise lounge or a kind of couch with box-spring. Today, it has evolved as a cushioned, tufted, or upholstered seating arrangement with storage space.

Pouf, on the other hand, is a French term connoting a small cushioned single seat that may or may not offer storage. It is a puffy and chubby round seat often resembling a mini beanbag, but could also come in a square shape.

You should choose an ottoman if:

• You want a couch-type seating arrangement meant for more than one person
• Supplement your primary seating arrangement with additional capacity
• Want a discreet storage space at the bottom
• You need additional seating at the table occasionally, for example, if you have a 6-seater dining table and you have nine guests, your ottoman can come to your rescue.

On the other hand, you will opt for poufs if you want an exclusive seat for yourself or even your toddler. They can also act as handy stools to climb on and reach for something. And of course, you get concealed storage space with many designs. 

However, the biggest benefit of poufs is their reasonable price and cozy, attractive appearance. They offer affordable variety and diversity that can transform the look-and-feel of your interiors at a minimal cost.For $300, you can shop for five poufs, so here are some exciting tips to play around with them:

• Visually exciting configurations - for instance, arrange orange, green, and black poufs opposite your modern beige-colored sofa with multi-colored throw pillows. The transformation will surprise you!

• Flexibility in the arrangement - you purchased five poufs, so put two in your living area, keep two beside the kitchen bar stools, and carry one to your bedroom! You can keep interchanging them, which will enable you to repurpose them in wonderful ways!

• Increase seating capacities as and where needed - add poufs to your patio BBQ party one evening, or sit your dinner guests on them in the living room the other evening.

Rectangular is the primary shape, supplemented by round, square, and other fancy shapes. Here are some tips on what shape will be right for you:

• Rectangular -- A universal shape that will blend with any décor. Choose it if you will be placing it aside from your sofa or other rectangular sitting arrangements.
• Square -- Its sharp edges will complement the other edged furniture. It will also offer a spacious storage cabinet beneath the seat.
• Round -- Its smooth curves will not obstruct movement in a compact room. You also have good placement choices -- in the middle of a sitting arrangement or on its sides.

Whichever shape you select, remember that ottomans are accent pieces, so choose a shape that will be in harmony with the other shapes of furniture.

For poufs - round, cylinder, and cube are the predominant shapes. Round poufs will be best placed in the company of other round décor elements. It can be your choice if you have a round mirror, a round coffee table, or a circular sofa. Cube poufs will look great in modern interiors as their edges are distinctive of this style.

SIZE GUIDE

• Ottomans

Standard rectangular

13"-20"H X 20.5"D. Width will depend upon the number of seats, with about 26" for each seat.

Select the height that matches the other coordinated seating arrangements. The best height is 15 ½", the same as that of a coffee table. However, be careful that the height of your sofa and ottoman is nearly the same, so that all those who are seated are on the same visual plane.

• Poufs

Round

Standard size is 13"H with 17 ¾" diameter.

You can get bigger and smaller poufs than the standard size but we advise that you select the size that will not be disproportionate with your living area.

Cube

Standard size: 14 ¾"H X 14 ¼"W X 14 ¼"D.

It is a very handy size that you can move around easily, which gives you great configuration and placement options.

Cabin/lodge style

It is made for an authentic and native style of décor and will also match boho interiors. These ottomans and poufs ooze cozy warmth wherever they are used. Wood-dominated décor will complement the cabin style of poufs.

Chippendale

This style is a blend of Gothic, Rococo, and Chinese furniture influence. Its defining characteristics are an upholstered seat and elaborately carved, ornate wooden legs exhibiting great decorative value.

Cocktail/Coffee-table

Suitable for homes with a modern to post-modern décor, they fit the visualizations of simplistic, lighthearted, and often colorful interiors with ample light and air.French windows could do them a world of good.

Art Deco

Royal, bold, and plush, they are reminiscent of the Moroccan décor style with a heavy emphasis on the metallic finish of upholstering or tufting materials. They will make a great accent piece for light-colored contemporary interiors harping on comfort and homeliness.

Nordic

Essentially angular and simplistic, that's how this Scandinavian accent pieces can be defined. A flat or curved upholstered seat with angled wooden legs underlines their functionality. This type will look great with other Scandinavian furniture.