When to use a round ottoman + my favorite ones!

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When and How to use a Round Ottoman!

Round ottomans are a great way to add extra seating or storage space to any room. Whether you’re looking for a stylish addition to your living space, a spot to put your feet up at the end of the day, or some extra storage, these versatile pieces truly can do it all!

Today I’ll share some thoughts with you on using round ottomans in the bedroom, living room and entryway, some tips for picking the perfect round ottoman if you’re shopping for one right now, a few round ottoman styling ideas, and lastly all my favorite round ottomans of the moment!

I’ve been searching for a round ottoman to replace our current coffee table in our living room / TV area (that’s what inspired me to write this post!). I haven’t picked one yet, but I do have a growing list of favorites so I thought I would share them with you! Being in Canada, my options are always more limited unfortunately, but I’ve included options for all my American friends who have better shopping options across the border 🙂 They’re at the end of this post so scroll down if you want to check them out.

I have a few reasons for wanting a round ottoman:

1) we use our coffee table as a foot rest ALL the time when we sit and play games or watch movies – so why not have it be nice and plush instead of a cold hard tabletop? My feet always get cold on the coffee table, I think a soft ottoman as a surface to rest our feet on will feel much nicer.
2) the overall shape of our new modular sofa doesn’t work well with our old, rectangular coffee table. As I mentioned earlier, big boxy modular and sectional sofas can sometimes be made to look a little less imposing with a round shape. Not that our sofa is imposing, but I feel that that contrast in shapes is needed.
3) my husband is notorious for bonking his shins on everything. One less piece of furniture to bruise him!
4) I feel that an additional soft, upholstered piece of furniture will help soften our large, cavernous open concept living room.

Round ottomans in the living room

Round ottomans in the living room can act as a coffee table or a side table (if they’re smaller), and provide extra seating for guests if needed in a pinch. They work well in a variety of different styles and settings, and their range of sizes and colors mean that you can find one to fit pretty much any decor style.

I find round ottomans to be a great option as a coffee table when paired with L shaped sectionals. Sectionals can seem a little boxy and harsh with all those straight lines, so a round ottoman can soften up the look while providing a really useful function at the same time.

Something to keep in mind – replacing your coffee table with a round ottoman can create a bit more of a laid-back vibe which is a little informal – this of course depends entirely on the style of round ottoman you choose. But be aware of this if you’re going for a formal or very traditional look. You can still go formal but you might want to look at round ottomans that have a bit more embellishment such as tufting or fringe. Or perhaps wooden legs or casters.

A round, boxy more contemporary ottoman as a coffee table might not be what you want in a formal living room as a major furniture piece. Or maybe it is! Just something to think about.

Round ottomans in the entryway

A popular way to use round ottomans in the entryway is to use an identical pair tucked under a console table. It creates a nice decorative moment as soon as you enter the home.

Round ottomans in the bedroom

In the bedroom, round ottomans can be used in a pair at the foot of the bed, or as a solo piece.

For example, in the photo below, Studio McGee must have had a very large bedroom to decorate because here they created a lovely seating area at the foot of the bed, inclusive of two full size armchairs and a large round ottoman. The soft, white boucle’ ottoman is styled with a simple woven round tray, some fresh flowers and a candle. What a cozy space! This is where I’d be having my morning coffee for sure.

They can also be used as a bedroom nightstand! Suitable for smaller spaces that can’t fit a larger nightstand.

Sometimes round ottomans are called poufs or stools as well, so keep that in mind during your search for the perfect circular ottoman 🙂

Tips for picking A round ottoman

When picking out a round ottoman, consider the following tips:

• Choose a sturdy material that will last. If you get fabric, and you have kids or pets, make sure the fabric is durable and easy to clean. Leather is also an option that will last longer and is very easy to clean.

• Think about the color and pattern. You can find round ottomans in virtually any color and pattern, so think about which would best complement your existing decor. For example our sofa is off-white, so I’ve been searching for an ottoman in a contrasting color with a bit of pattern. Pairing a patterned ottoman with neutral furniture is a great way to add a unique touch to your room.

• Think about size and height. Round ottomans come in a range of sizes, so measure out the space before you buy one. You want to make sure it will fit comfortably without looking too bulky or taking up too much space.

• Consider the size. Depending on how much space you have in your room, opt for a smaller ottoman if you want to save space. You’ll probably want to go bigger if you’re using it as a replacement for a coffee table. Don’t forget to double check the height if you’re planning on using it as a coffee table. Too high, or too low, might quickly become annoying.

• do you need it to serve as a storage piece as well? If you’re looking for extra storage, many (but not all!) round ottomans come with a removable top. This is perfect for storing extra throw blankets or pillows, and these types of round storage ottomans are a great way to keep your living room tidy and organized.

• do you want your ottoman to be elevated on feet (legs), or a solid piece that goes all the way to the ground? This is a personal preference, but consider it in relation to the other furniture in your room. Sometimes it’s good to mix up ‘legless’ furniture with furniture with legs and sometimes not.

Round ottoman styling tips

A round ottoman is a versatile piece that can be used in many different ways. Here are some tips for how to style a round ottoman:

• place a square tray on your round ottoman to keep items corralled. This creates a nice contrast in shapes. Using a tray on your round ottoman is especially useful because ottomans are plush and soft so your items will stay level and won’t fall over if they’re on a tray.
• using a tray for your decor also makes it super easy to remove everything when you’re ready to sit down and put your feet up for a binge session!
• both round and square trays look great on round ottomans.
• some items you can use to style your ottoman tray are candles, vases with flowers or long stems of greenery and books
• a round ottoman doesn’t have to necessarily serve a purpose – it can be decorative! Sometimes they work well when just you need to fill a space that’s ‘missing’ something! For example look below at how the knit pouf fills out the space under the console desk to create a balanced vignette.

Best round ottomans

Here are some of the runner up round ottomans I’ve been swooning over! I’ve been sad to see that the larger size round ottomans don’t exactly come cheap, but I’m hoping to get a lot of use out of whatever I do end up purchasing.

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