CHOOSING THE RIGHT STYLE
How Do I Make An Ottoman Look Luxurious?
A luxurious ottoman come from considered proportions, beautiful upholstery and carefully chosen finishes rather than any single design feature.
🕓 5 min read | Expert advice from our design team
Quick Answer
A luxurious ottoman starts with good proportions that looks considered within its space. Fabric has an enormous visual impact, particularly on a larger piece. Details such as piping, studs, legs and upholstery style combine to add luxury. Sometimes, less detail is appropriate for a ‘less-is-more’ design statement. Customising the shape or size of your ottoman makes it look made-to-measure for your space for a feeling of quiet luxury so that it looks curated than simply placed within a space.
Discover the details that make the difference ⟶
Extended Answer
Firstly, we need to define the difference between expensive-looking and luxurious. Expensive-looking tends to reply on obvious signals: lots of detailing, dramatic fabrics, deep buttoning and elaborate legs. Luxurious is when the whole piece feels considered, beautifully proportioned and expertly upholstered. Simple ottomans that are beautifully made can scream luxury without all the bells and whistles. To our mind, luxury is refined, intentional and sometimes restrained.
Get The Proportions Right First
There are many things that can make an ottoman look luxurious, the first is proportion. An undersized ottoman can look lost whilst an ottoman that is too large overwhelms the seating, reduces the space around it and can make the room look cramped.
Height is the next most important factor and influences how elegant the piece feels. It is more luxurious when the shape of your ottoman relates naturally to the seating arrangement.
All things considered, a custom sized or shaped ottoman will enable you to refine your ottoman so it fits perfectly – what could be more luxurious than experiencing something bespoke?
DESIGN TIP When considering your fabric take the scale of the design into account. Consider how much of the pattern you will see across the upholstered surface. A fabric that looks subtle at sample size can have a larger impact on a large ottoman
Let the Fabric Do Some of the Work
The fabric generally covers the greatest visible area so it has enormous impact. Texture can create luxury without needing pattern but pattern and colour can make the ottoman a deliberate feature. Fabric quality matters more than chasing a particular brand of designer. In our opinion, the context of the room matters – velvet isn’t automatically luxurious and linen isn’t automatically casual.
EXAMPLE Rather than adding buttons, piping, studs or elaborate legs, choosing a simple upholstered top and well proportioned legs can allow the quality of the craftsmanship of the ottoman become the feature. A badly upholstered ottoman is the opposite of luxury.
Pay Attention To The Finishing Details
Choose details because they contribute to the design, not because they are individually ‘fancy’. One or two individually considered features often look more sophisticated.
BALANCE TIP If in doubt, less is sometimes more. Luxury is often in the quality of the individual components and the craftsmanship of the ottoman – not in the abundance of accessories.
Expert Tip
When choosing your specification, look at the ottoman as a complete piece. Fabric, legs and upholstery details can all be beautiful individually but still compete when they’re combined.
Key Takeaways
- Luxury begins with good proportion, not decoration.
- Fabric has one of the greatest impacts on the finished appearance.
- Texture can create richness without pattern.
- Buttoning, piping and legs should contribute to one coherent design.
- More detailing doesn’t necessarily mean more luxurious.
- A made-to-measure piece can feel particularly luxurious because its proportions and specification are chosen for the room.
IN THIS GUIDE
• Start with proportion
• Use fabric effectively
• Choose your finishing details
• Know when to sort
Still Need Help?
Chat with our design team for free, expert advice tailored to your space.
RELATED TOPICS
• Choosing Upholstery Fabric
• Storage & Practicality
• Made to Measure & Bespoke
• Delivery & Ordering
• Made to measure options
POPULAR QUESTIONS
• Which ottoman leg should I choose?
• Should my ottoman match my sofa?
• Can I get an upholstered ottoman made to a custom size?
• Should I choose a buttoned or plain ottoman?
FURTHER READING
Which leg should I choose?
LEARN MORE →
FURTHER READING
Which ottoman style should I choose?
LEARN MORE →
FURTHER READING
Should my ottoman match my sofa?
LEARN MORE→