Ottomans are handy, used for many purposes, and easily moved around. Everyone should have a couple of them. Because their main purpose is to put your feet up on them, it makes sense to pick one upholstered in leather, wicker, rattan, or a fabric that is easily cleaned. If they aren't very light weight, they should be equipped with casters, since you will want to move them around as needed. Obviously, light colors will not stay nice, so choose accordingly! Though you can throw an afghan over it to protect the surface if you insist on being impractical.
Usually ottomans have storage space in them, which makes them great for family rooms (toys, games, movies, DVDs), bedrooms (books, magazines, extra blankets or pillows), kids rooms (coloring books, crayons, stuffed toys, books, etc.), and even bathrooms (next to the tub with you bathing extras, a good book, reading glasses). And when you are done soaking, wrap yourself in the towel waiting on your ottoman and wheel it over to your dressing table for a comfortable seat.
In a living room you might put a large circular ottoman in front of the sofa with seating around it. A glass or bamboo top can be placed on it for serving food and beverages. Two matching ottomans in front of the fireplace gives you extra seating, a warm spot on chilly nights, or can be pulled over to your chair to put your feet up. In a formal living room, they should have matching fabric to your chairs, or be of the same color in leather. In any casual space they can be anything you want them to be...as long as it is practical!
Learn more at Decorating for the Artistic Soul.
