How To Style An Ottoman. Figuring out how to style an ottoman can sometimes be a challenge. Need ideas? Well that’s what I’m here for. I’m going to show you how to created four eye pleasing arrangements with only a few accessories.
How To Style An Ottoman
First let me talk about the ottoman I’m styling. When I have an opportunity to buy new furniture, which is not very often, I want to make sure it’s something that has longevity and versatility. The round ottoman has a classic style, clean lines and upholstered in a beautiful neutral colored fabric, that could easily fit into other rooms of the house.
Ottomans just like any other piece of furniture, come in different styles, shapes and sizes. Once you have the right ottoman, then you can start the fun process of styling it.
I was afraid that styling the new ottoman would be a challenge, but it’s basically the same as styling a coffee table. Let me show you.
Style With A Rectangular Tray
I found a woven serving tray with interesting texture and the right size to fit on the 36″ wide ottoman. Each accessory on the tray has a different shape, size and pattern. The design book, cloisonné shell bowl and coasters also have various colors of blue and aqua that coordinate. It’s an eclectic mix of accessories that I find interesting.
The candle not only has a wonder citrus aroma, but has the same orange color that’s in the cloisonné bowl.
Decorating tip: The vase is actually a small hurricane. I simply removed the platform candle holder and added some beautiful white hydrangea blooms. It works!
You can do this too. Look around your home for things that can be used in variety of ways and give it a try.
Style With A Round Tray
In this ottoman vignette I concentrated on organic elements with a wood serving platter, an orchid, a soft gingham throw and a large glass hurricane. The whole look is casual and simple.
If you’ve followed me for a while you may know that the glass display hurricane is one of my favorite accessories. I can put all kinds of tidbits in the lower portion, such as corks, deer moss and shells or keep it plain and simple for an uncluttered look.
Style an ottoman with books
Styling an ottoman with books has a smart tailored look. This is where your interests or hobbies can really shine. If you have books that give you pleasure then make a few stacks of them on your ottoman or coffee table. You’re more likely to enjoy them when they are close at hand.
I have a small collection of design books that I use for reference. No one else has a home just like mine, but I can pull ideas from those books that work for me. Just as you can pull ideas from me and make them work in your home.
Books create a platform where I can add found objects with an interesting past or story. I also like to incorporate a green plant or mini flower arrangement into the vignette. It’s those organic elements that add life and texture into the room.
Style with multiple trays
The first time I styled the ottoman was for the summer home tour with blue and white accents post. I used two white lacquer trays, one for books and the other for an urn holding flowers.
The white urn and blue hydrangea blooms were the focal point. It’s fun using oversized accessories for a bold statement.
I hope I’ve given you some useful ways to style an ottoman or coffee table. Any one of these decorating tips will give you a staring point in creating your own unique look.
- Try an eclectic mix of colors shapes sizes and patterns
- Use a square, round or rectangular tray
- Add organic materials of wood and fabric
- Stack books that match your interest or hobby
- Use found objects as accessories
- Make a bold statement with oversized accessories
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with inspiration that you can use right now!
Thanks so much for stopping by today and letting me share my ideas of how to style an ottoman. What’s your favorite accessory on your coffee table or ottoman?
Cheers!
©2018 How To Style An Ottoman first appeared on Thistle Key Lane.
You have some great tips and examples here!:
Thanks Jennifer, so happy you stopped by!
I have an old ottoman, I’m thinking about reuse it. Your post is just awesome, you inspired me to reuse my ottoman.
Thank you.
Thank you so much! It’s so exciting to take what we already have and see how to use it in new ways. I hope you will stop by again soon!
Your ideas are beautiful! Wish I could style and ottoman like this, but it’s not practical for us! We have dogs that use the floor space for their rough housing and a special needs grand that doesn’t quite understand decor. He thinks its there for it’s there for pitching practice! No worries! We happy to adjust things for our family! But I do love to see beautiful decor in other people’s homes!
Thank you Nancy! I totally get what you’re saying. Not everything works in other homes but it’s so much fun to look at different styles and designs for ideas.
Each and everyone is so beautiful. I love your style! Thanks for sharing.
This was a really fun post for me. Thanks so much for sweet comments, I hope you will visit again soon!
Love this post, as I’m going to be doing a makeover for an ottoman for my home! Love the different ideas and styles! Very inspirational, Michelle. Those two trays for the same vignette… really smart!
Thank you Julie! Ottomans can be used in so many different ways. I can’t wait to see your ideas too!
That is one of the prettiest ottomans I have ever seen. Love the tray ideas.
Thank you so much Barb! I can’t wait to come up with more styling ideas as the seasons change.
I have actually been thinking of making an ottoman from an old coffee table. These tips would definitely come in handy!
Hi Mary, coffee table conversions are great projects. When you get finished I want to see!
So many great ideas! I am looking to add an ottoman to our home, but have always struggled with styling coffee tables, so love these ideas. Thanks Michelle.!
Thank you Lynn, so happy you stopped by!
Pinned to Pinterest. I love the way you styled this ottoman, too. So beautiful. Best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Thank you Linda for visiting and pinning too!
Very pretty ideas – and I love your colors!
Shelley
Thanks Shelley! I love grays and blues together.
I love all the different styles. I tend to change things out with the seasons and I love having options!
Thank you Debbie, I like having options too but it would be nice to have flowers all the time! 🙂
HI Michelle ( I said Julie in earlier post) I reread my own post! ;0) Love the features. Heading back to dig into the links! I love the ottoman. I just posted a lazy girls diy reupholster on a bench/ottoman. I had more fun styling it than reupholstering it! ha! Thank you Michelle for the feature too! laura
I agree reupholstering is not near as much fun as styling. Thanks for popping in and commenting!
I love this post Michelle! I have a new chair and ottoman being delivered in August. Great ideas! Thanks so much. Pinned!
Getting new furniture is so exciting and I’m sure you’ll have so much fun styling it! Have a great weekend Denise!