Ottomans can be a deceptively tricky piece of furniture to shop for. These seats appear much more laid-back than accent chairs, are much more capable of accommodating different furniture styles, and therefore not as difficult to source when needed. But ottomans only seem straightforward after they’ve already been placed inside a home — shopping for one is an entirely different story.
Two years ago, when I was figuring out the bedroom layout in my apartment, I decided to place a vanity on one side of the bed. It could also act as a nightstand, but given that this corner gets lots of natural light, it would primarily be where I applied makeup in the morning. This solution made the most of my home’s small footprint, and felt grown-up in the best possible way — I was someone who started the day at her very own vanity!
Measuring the proportions between the wall and bed was fast enough, and I turned my attention to shopping for an ottoman thinking that the process would be more of the same. It wasn’t.
My initial search produced ottomans that were intended for feet to rest on, so they were much shorter than I needed. Some had the right height but the wrong fabric color, while others had the right height but the wrong embellishments. I didn’t want something with tufted details, nor did I want one with industrial features. I skipped over fabrics like bouclé and velvet, thinking that I’d eventually zero in on any unfortunate makeup stains that didn’t entirely disappear. I looked for items that weren’t too heavy, too bulky, or too expensive.
I had come across Article’s leather Cilo ottoman in the midst of all this — the brand is beloved by multiple editors here at Apartment Therapy — but passed on it initially because it looked too simple: It’s a cylinder-shaped ottoman in a classic caramel finish. So I purchased another option from an entirely different retailer, until it was clear that the in-person color was different than advertised. I shlepped that ottoman back to the post office and bought a striped square seat that also clashed with the rest of the room.
Whew. Are you still with me? Good.
Finally, I went back to basics and bought Article’s leather ottoman. Turns out, the third time really was the charm!
The ottoman shipped quickly to my home, and it was ready to go as soon as it left the box. After almost two years, this seat still looks as good as new, with minor scuffs and wrinkles from daily use that add character, not scrutiny.
It coordinates with everything around my bedroom and apartment, shifting between casual comfort and breezy sophistication, and it’s lightweight enough to move around my space for more seating when guests are visiting. Plus, it only gets more comfortable every morning, without losing its shape.
This Article ottoman that I initially thought was too simple, too streamlined, and too obvious of a choice turned out to be the perfect choice for my apartment. It’s versatile, stylish, and classic, and I intend to use it for years to come. I might have taken my time finding it, but I’m glad I did.
Buy: Article Cilo Leather Ottoman, $199
