Ottoman

Just as the coffee table found its start in the Turkish Ottoman Empire in the 17th century, so did the ottoman (which is, naturally, why it has its name).

History's also called the ottoman a pouf, hassock or footstool, and accordingly, the low, padded, upholstered seat can be used as either a footrest or a stool.

Today's ottomans are typically sold as part of a set or as a matching separate to be paired with a club chair or loveseat.

While they're all generally a knee's height from the floor, ottomans do vary in design and materials depending on the pieces with which they're meant to coordinate. Most have four small, decorative feet, though some have a footless base.

And though most American ottomans are solid through-and-through, European ottomans tend to be hollow, making them excellent storage cubes. If you're shopping for a new ottoman, then we recommend that you visit Ottomans.com for their great online selection of ottomans.