Overlooked, underappreciated, misunderstood. You could even call it the antihero of the living room. It provides a crucial additional comfort to sofas, chairs—and in fact—can be a seat on its own or even a table. Talk about versatility! Given all of that, it gets none of the shine of its other comfy counterparts.

Yes, we’re talking about ottomans, and no, we’re not being dramatic (we’re just passionate—that’s kind of our thing here at Article).

Let us explain: your favorite reading chair is your favorite reading chair for a reason. It allows you to melt into its cushion and your book simultaneously in a beautiful act of symbiosis. But a well-placed ottoman can take that comfort to a next level, allowing you to stretch out and reach your maximum relaxation potential (MRP). Same goes for sofas and sectionals.

Modern ottomans don’t just help you stretch your person out, they’re also a great way to stretch yourself creatively when it comes to setting up your space. Given the wide range of styles (Modern, Mid-Century, Contemporary) and shapes (round, barrel shaped, cubed, benched, no legs, stub legs, mostly legs, and so much more) you’ve got a ton of new ways to tie a room together or bring it a flash of flair—the ottoman is your chance to try out a bold new fabric or pattern in your space without the risk of overpowering it, as a sofa might. Just think of all the potential stuffed into our little friends.

When we talk about the versatility of a mid century ottoman, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention location. Yes, of course, ottomans and sofas and chairs have a storied love triangle that has taken place in the living room since the beginning of time (we assume), but the ottoman is also a strong, independent piece of furniture that’s more than willing to travel. A contemporary ottoman in the entryway is the perfect pouf to sit on while putting on your shoes; a bench in the hallway for when you’re waiting for someone to get out of the shower (what are they doing in there?!); or a charming addition to the foot of your bed.

So if you’re looking to experiment by adding an exciting new piece to your place or you’re just looking to increase your existing furniture’s MRPs, it’s time to treat your feet.

Browse our selection of ottomans and bring effortless style to your home with beautiful modern furniture & decor.