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custom furniture, Décor, footrest, footstool, furniture, furniture history, history, imported furniture, imports, interior design, ottoman, ottomans, sofa
Traditionally used as a footrest or stool, the ottoman is a versatile piece of furniture that designers choose for several different reasons. It is a coffee table in some houses and, in others, extra seating for guest overflow. Hailing from 17th-century Turkey, ottomans have evolved considerably throughout their journey to modern interior design. MBW Furniture offers many different ottoman styles and types for any occasion or design space.
Brown Microfiber “Coffee Table” Ottoman
Also known as tuffets, hassocks, or poufs, “ottomans” entered the English language around 1605. Families in Turkey covered them with cushions for group seating like modern sofas without arms and backs. Beyond providing functional seating, they were the central design element within the family common area or living room.
When the idea of ottomans arrived in Europe, artisans created an imitation that wrapped around three walls. Over time, the concept was scaled down to a smaller version that could fit into one corner instead of three.
The 19th Century saw ottomans transform into their familiar octagonal and circular shapes. At that time, seating was divided with arms or padded columns that usually featured objects like plants and statuettes. The growing popularity of night clubs ensured the spread of ottomans to new audiences, ultimately resulting in the furniture’s modern status as a standard household item. For the club setting, manufacturers added magazine racks.
Leopard Tassel Storage – Brown Tufted Square – William and Mary Pouf
Plain and simple, ottomans are adaptable for use in any room. These padded and upholstered bench-like footstools are sometimes used as sofa alternatives much like the original Turkish-style furniture. Modern designers have created storage ottomans by hollowing and upholstering the inside, effectively adding more functionality to the furniture’s long legacy. Many design spaces and living rooms now feature an ottoman or two in place of the traditional coffee table. The future is undoubtedly bright for the footstool from Turkey.