Today, the word “ottoman” is an ultra-versatile term used to describe footstools, poufs, and the armless and backless portion of couches. That said, the ottoman is a piece of furniture in its own right, having originated in 18th century Turkey. Originally, the ottoman was designed as a sort of luxurious, armless cushion, not unlike a traditional divan. Ottomans would line the walls of a room, providing seating similar to a sectional. As the ottoman evolved, it took on the more compact, modular shape we know today. Again, in contemporary times ottomans are used to describe pieces of furniture that are both traditional ottomans and variations, such as footstools (which usually have feet) and poufs (which have no feet and generally have an inflated appearance), but the traditional ottoman would be an armless, footless cushion featuring regular fill, large enough for someone to sit. Beyond that, ottomans can come in any array of fabrics, shapes, and sizes.
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Lead image by Richard Powers
