A couple of years ago I wrote a post entitled ‘Maybe the Most Versatile Furniture Piece’ and it was all about the ottoman. Ottomans are one of my favorite decorative accents and one of the best and often budget-friendly design investments you can make.

I love using a pair of ottomans as part of a design plan but a single ottoman can be just as effective as a pair. And when it comes to the shape of an ottoman, an accent ottoman is a great way to incorporate a contrasting shape into your decor. And accent ottomans also make great side or coffee table alternatives in both living rooms and family rooms.

When it comes to decorating, there are many ways you can incorporate ottomans into your decor and today I wanted to share 5 of the easiest ways to decorate with ottomans.

No. 1 Free Floating

If you have a larger room in your home that needs an additional piece furniture, consider adding accent ottomans instead of an additional chair or table. Float the ottomans near the main seating area in the room so when needed, they can serve as additional seating or a table surface.

In rooms with lots of wood, look for ottomans with iron bases to add contrast and visual interest.

Style Me Pretty

No. 2 Coffee Table Alternative

Larger cube ottomans are ideal as coffee table substitutes and all it takes to make the surface functional as a table surface is a tray or two.

If you are using oversized ottomans in this way, I suggest that you add casters to the ottomans so they can be move around within the room or even to another area of the home.

Decor Pad

No. 3 Side Table

One of the most common ways to decorate around a fireplace is with a pair of chairs. Placing an ottoman between the chairs will create a cozy space and provide a surface area that makes the chair grouping more functional.

Phoebe Howard

No. 4 End of Bed Bench

I think a lot of people don’t take advantage of the space at the foot of the bed when it comes to decorating. That area is ideal for a pair of ottomans which can be used to add visual layers, color, texture or function to a bedroom.

Catherine Dolan

No. 5 Under Table Filler

One of my favorite ways to decorate with ottomans is using them as a filler below a console table. A single ottoman or a pair tucked under a table is great in a small room or home where space is limited but function is needed. Again the ottomans can be pulled out to provide additional seating or serve as a side table.