Multi-Functional Ottomans

Incorporate an ottoman into any room for extra display space.

All About

Product Ideas

As spaces shrink and people begin to think of their furnishings as investments, furniture designers are being asked to make furniture that does more than one job. Now the once-overlooked ottoman rises to the occasion.

Figure A

With a little redesign, an ottoman can actually take the place of your coffee table (figure A). It's stable enough so that when you sit down, whatever is on a tray or directly on top doesn't tip or fall.

Ottomans afford a great opportunity to introduce a new fabric or color into a space or to pick up on colors from another room for continuity.

Dark colors or dense patterns on practical fabrics may be best for ottomans to hide dirt, spills and fingerprints.

Figure B

Compared to the sharper edges of a traditional coffee table, ottomans provide a safe and stylish alternative for families with young children (figure B).

Ottomans also provide extra storage space for throw blankets, reading materials. Some even have eating trays hidden within.

Turn trash to treasure by converting an old table into an upholstered ottoman.

Table to Ottoman

Materials:

table
upholstery fabric
quilt batting
staple gun
hot glue gun/glue
tassels or ribbon (optional)

Steps:

1. Wrap several layers of batting around the top of the table and staple in place.

2. Cut fabric to cover top of padded section and fold corners neatly before securing with staples.

3. Wrap fabric around each leg of the coffee table neatly and secure with staples or glue.

4. Add tassels or ribbon as desired.

beige ottoman with three trays, raffia beige ottoman (Todd Hase Furniture)

beige corduroy ottoman (Z Gallerie)

oval leather ottoman, brown leather ottoman, white leather ottoman, TV tray ottoman (Baker Knapp & Tubbs)

Resources

Guests
- Todd Hase
  Founder/Designer, Todd Hase Furniture
  261 Spring Street
  New York, NY 10013
  Phone: 212-334-3568
  Fax: 212-274-1479
  Email: info@toddhase.com
  URL: www.toddhase.com
- Diana Mason
  Interior Designer, Diana Mason Interiors
  PO Box 603
  Bryn Mawr, PA 19010