The classic pouf is a low soft chair, the design of which does not include a backrest. Such furniture is compact, mobile and easy to use. In addition, original shapes and stylish design make it possible to use ottomans to decorate the interior, place semantic accents and create a cozy atmosphere.
Today absolutely all furniture manufacturers are engaged in the production of poufs, and therefore their range is extremely diverse and extensive. It is this diversity that we will try to understand.
Characteristics
Ottomans are rich in functionality and versatility. Such furniture can be used in absolutely all rooms of a city apartment or country house, and everywhere it will be useful and comfortable.
The history of the furniture in question began in Ancient Egypt, after which it can be traced to Greece and Rome of a later era. From there, ottomans made their way to Europe, where they gained particular popularity during the Renaissance. Today, poufs are found in almost every home, being presented in models of various shapes, designs and styles.
Among the distinctive features of poufs, the following points can be highlighted.
- Small size and weight, as well as low landing.
- Comfortable soft seat for comfort.
- Wide range of upholstery and design styles.
- A variety of shapes and design nuances.
- Original design.
It should also be noted that almost all modern models have containers for storing things, and some of them are equipped with transformation systems that significantly increase the functionality of the product.
Application and varieties
It was previously said that ottomans can be used to solve various problems. For example, in the bedroom such furniture can be used as a bedside table or banquette; in a children’s room, on the balcony and in the hallway it can successfully replace a stool, and in the living room it is often used as a footrest, sitting comfortably in a cozy chair or on the sofa. .
An ottoman with an established space will be an alternative to a coffee table during get-togethers with friends. Well, designer products can add accents to the interior, making it more expressive and brighter.
Great demand for such products in the furniture industry has led to the emergence of various types of poufs. Thus, not all modern models are equipped with soft seats - products where this structural element is made of rattan, balsa wood, wicker, etc. sell well.
Manufacturers offer the buyer ottomans:
- with frameless and frame construction;
- closed and open type;
- shoe racks and chests;
- with or without legs.
Let's take a closer look at the most popular varieties.
Frame
The classic design of a pouf involves a rigid frame that can withstand heavy loads, distributing them evenly. In addition, such products traditionally have soft seats in a comfortable configuration.
The shape of a classic frame ottoman can be very different, as can its configuration, design and content.
Frameless
Such models are called “beanbag”, which translates as “bean bag”. These poufs are durable covers with filling inside. The latter can be a variety of natural (horse hair, cereals, hay) or synthetic (expanded polystyrene, polypropylene) materials.
Without a frame, such products still have recognizable shapes (pear, ball, trapezoid, etc.), and also perfectly follow the body shape of a seated person, providing the maximum level of comfort.
Transformers
This type of furniture will appeal to neat people and connoisseurs of multifunctional products. Modern models equipped with lifting mechanisms and/or sliding elements allow rational use of room space, providing additional opportunities.
The ottomans in question will fit perfectly into interiors designed in minimalist, hi-tech or loft style. Moreover, they can be very small or large, differ in shape and transformation mechanisms.
On legs
Poufs with legs look more original, elegant and extravagant than their traditional counterparts. As a rule, these are designer products focused on a certain style, for example, classic or baroque.
More universal models are often equipped with wheels or rollers, which significantly increase the mobility of this furniture and the ease of its use.
Inflatable
One of the know-how of the furniture industry can be safely called inflatable poufs. Structurally, they are no different from air mattresses. familiar to most of us from childhood. In other words, such products are equipped with a special chamber, which is filled with air under pressure, after which the furniture takes on a given shape.
Most of these ottomans are equipped with removable covers that can be easily removed for washing or dry cleaning.
Second version
There is another story, this time American. Rumor has it that one lazy man, madly in love with watching TV, invented for himself a comfortable pouf on which he could lie day and night.
Comfortable pouf
Football is more fun to watch with friends
Yes, the version is not very interesting, but it has a right to exist. By the way, the well-known name of such a chair - Bean Bag - is American, and it is translated as “bag of beans”. We are talking specifically about foam balls.
Although, if you remember history, in Rus' it was customary to rest on bags filled with hay or straw. Why not frameless furniture? It’s just that no one thought to patent it.
If we talk about the official version, these chairs were originally called Sacco (which means “bag” in Italian). They were conceived in pink, which is not surprising given the mood of the creators. The furniture exactly fulfilled its main role, that is, it was comfortable to sit on. And the bold color lifted the mood.
Materials and shapes
Currently, a variety of materials are used to produce furniture. In this regard, there are practically no restrictions, except for environmental friendliness. To create poufs, the following materials are most often used:
- textiles, where the priority is water-repellent and quilted upholstery, as well as analogues made of jacquard, matting, velor, velvet, flock and tapestry;
- genuine leather and eco-leather, which look very presentable, impressive and expensive, and are also characterized by a long service life, ease of cleaning and excellent durability;
- wood is an incredibly popular material that has a unique texture and appearance, and can bring warmth and comfort to any interior;
- weaving, for which natural or artificial rattan, bamboo, wicker, jute and yarn can be used, which makes the product very original and unusual.
- forging, as a rule, is used as the basis for open-type ottomans, which ensures a long service life, strength and reliability of the structure;
- plastic, used everywhere today, allows you to create bright products and non-standard shapes, absolutely smooth glossy surfaces and unique decor.
If we talk about the dimensions and shapes of modern poufs, today you can find a variety of models on sale, including:
- large, medium and tiny;
- square, rectangular and cubic;
- round, oval and cylindrical
- curly, with irregular lines.
The overall dimensions, shape, color design and style of the ottoman are selected for each specific case purely individually. Fortunately, there are a huge number of design options, and therefore choosing a product that ideally suits your goals and objectives will not be difficult.
Choose the main thing with your heart and soul. Then such a small piece of furniture will not disappoint you. At the same time, we should not forget about the environmental friendliness of the product and the reliability of its design.
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In German and Russian, this item is called a pouf and ottoman; in French and Spanish, this item is called a “banquette,” and in English, an “ottoman.”
However, sometimes we call it a banquette - a low bench on legs, and an ottoman - furniture that is square or rectangular in plan and has a rigid frame.
Ottomans, poufs, banquettes are chosen according to size, shape, compatibility of upholstery, purpose, etc. Different interior styles require an appropriate style solution for furniture items.
Here you can see many examples and style solutions, and we will continue. The most common ottomans (poufs, banquettes) are usually:
Large (from 60 cm in diameter or along the long side): They perfectly replace traditional coffee tables, which in this case can be dispensed with. But a set of a sofa, armchairs and ottoman looks much more comfortable, elegant and harmonious, because they all have the same type of upholstery - fabric or leather.
Small (up to 40 cm in diameter or on the side): As a rule, these are models in the form of a cylinder or cube on very small legs (up to 3 cm), wheels or without them at all. Thanks to their compact size, they are mobile and can easily change their functions: you can sit on them or move them towards a chair (for your feet), place a small tray with a cup of tea or put a book on them. Such ottomans (ottomans, banquettes) can serve as a convenient sofa table or, if necessary, slide under a coffee table.
Long (from 80 cm in length with a width 2 times smaller) They look like an analogue of a bench, but can have legs or do without them. They can serve two main roles: they serve as an additional seat in the event of an informal visit from friends, or they can be moved to the foot of the bed as a place to place clothes and bedspreads at night.
How to choose the color of ottomans, poufs, banquettes:
Ready-made solutions, of course, are quite harmonious. But if you are not satisfied with the standard look, try to approach the choice of ottoman (ottoman, banquette) with imagination.
For example, choose a color or pattern of upholstery (or cover) for it in accordance with a couple of accent interior items. Or highlight the shade of the nightstand. Or create an absolute contrast - useful for variety in a neutral interior.
When paired with a sofa, this addition looks exactly the same as a sofa. The pouf can be closely connected to the sofa and become its section, increasing the usable area, or act as a separate independent piece of furniture.
When paired with a chair, it looks like the main item or resembles its lower part. May be lower than the seat of a chair or the same height.
This is a more compact item than the one intended for the sofa, and therefore has greater mobility
Afterword
In conclusion, I would like to remind you that original and practical ottomans are a universal piece of furniture, as well as an ideal addition to a stylish and comfortable set of upholstered furniture. And high-quality and fashionable sofas from famous world manufacturers can be purchased inexpensively in the “Cat on the Sofa” online store.
Here you will find upholstered furniture to suit every taste and any interior style. We will provide each client with excellent service, affordable prices, pleasant discounts, a company guarantee and prompt delivery of purchases to any region of the Russian Federation.
Types of ottomans
Varieties of pouf-banquettes
When there is an understanding of the need to purchase an ottoman for home, then choosing a good product is not difficult. Its purpose and place of application dictates the shape of the model and the material with which it will be decorated.
So:
- A practical option refers to an ottoman with a drawer that has lower casters. Wheels allow you to move the ottoman with a filled drawer around the room, then your hands do not get tired and the floor covering is not damaged.
- For the kitchen, a rectangular model, decorated with quilted leatherette, which is easy to care for, is more practical.
- The ottoman toy box is sometimes made foldable and is made in the form of a cube with a removable lid.
- The corner of a tiny hallway can be filled with an excellent pouf of the same shape. The angular shape of the pouf will help to combine a soft bench (see Banquette for the bedroom: selection criteria) and at the same time a spacious drawer.
- Original products include ottomans of unusual shapes for the average buyer, for example, cars, shoes, animals.
- A pouf intended for a seat can be compared in height to a chair, but the area is much larger. The offered models can be extended in length and resemble soft benches that can accommodate several people. They are purchased not only for homes, they are used to fill waiting areas in offices or fitting rooms in stores.
- Ottomans, in addition to the interior, have a height less than an armchair. They come in different sizes and are designed to be a nice addition to a bed or sofa (see Sofa for the bedroom: which one is better to take). Such models are called banquettes or recamiers. Models of ottomans with a small height have been developed and are used as footrests. In addition, the pouf comes complete with a table and can be moved under it, or with a beach cabin for changing clothes.
- A transformable ottoman is a piece of furniture with expanded capabilities. Its model allows you to have a full-fledged chair or a comfortable bed in a matter of minutes. The soft cover of the pouf disguises household appliances in the form of a vacuum cleaner or sports equipment. Designers went even further and for public places they came up with a pouf lamp, a pouf flowerbed, and an ottoman cabinet with a drawer decorates small rooms in the apartment.
Attention: Ottomans are classified not only by purpose, but also by the materials from which they are made.
