What Is The Difference Between An Ottoman And A Footstool?
A footstool, ottoman, and hassock refer to kinds of furniture in which a person may rest his or her feet. What is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool? People often ask this since these terms are used interchangeably. However, there are significant differences among these terms. The style and size are the significant differences between the two.
Before we jump right into the significant differences between the two, let us know the different varieties of footrests. This section will answer the question: what is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool?
Kinds of Foot Rests
Footstool
A footstool is primarily a piece of furniture that you put your feet on for comfort. People usually place this in front of a chair or sofa in the living room, sitting area, or family room. The footstool is the general term under which the other foot rests fall. A pouf, ottoman, and hassock are different forms of footstools. There is not much difference between the three, but there is indeed a thin line that distinguishes them.
On the other hand, there is a kind of footstool that does not fall within the three categories of footstools; and that is a footstool with no upholstery. An all-wood or plainly wooden footstool is only called a footstool. The reason for the distinction is that an ottoman and hassock are upholstered. Also, a pouf is a dense and all-fabric footstool. However, nowadays, it is rare to look for a type of footstool with no upholstery. What is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool? The answer lies mainly in the materials they are made with.
Hassock
A hassock is a low stool with a padded cushion that is designed as a leg or seat rest. It is an upholstered footstool and has no storage. They also vary in size since there are larger or smaller variations. Moreover, its design can be very simple such as a little cushion for kneeling.
This kind of footstool is a bit lighter in weight than a larger ottoman. They are easy to move around. Moreover, they come in brighter patterns and colors so you can add some flair or drama to your home. These are indeed ideal for a house that needs some lightening up. You can put these by your sofa or chair and even as a side table. Hassocks are very functional when you need a place to put your magazines, drink or your phone.
Some downsides to owning a hassock are more on its size and storage. Hassocks are not for storage. They are not high enough to be a coffee table nor a backless seat. Also, hassocks do not come as a set with other furniture pieces, so it is not easy to achieve a cohesive look in your living room. Some people find the splash of colors attractive, and some may not find this appealing.
Ottoman
An ottoman is upholstered and, at the same time, an overstuffed couch or seat without a backrest. The distinguishing factor of an ottoman is its storage element. However, despite this element, an ottoman remains as a footstool and a sitting piece.
Ottomans are commonly large due to their storage. They may also be used as a stool, coffee table, or a footstool. When you purchase them, they usually come with a chair, which means that you can easily achieve cohesion in your living room decors. As mentioned, they are also made for storage, such as for blankets, books, magazines, or remotes.
This kind of footstool is typically expensive, so make sure to buy ones with the superb quality so that your money does not go down the drain. Also, larger variations of ottomans take up a large amount of space, making it difficult to store them out of the way.
Pouf
At the beginning of this article, we asked ourselves: what is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool? We forgot that there are two other kinds of footrests or stools, namely a pouf and hassock. A pouf is a dense and large cushion that is large enough to serve as a giant footstool. They come in various shapes such as square, rectangle, and round.
Poufs are less costly than an ottoman or a hassock. They are also lighter, so you can move them around as much as you can. However, poufs are smaller and less stable than the other variations. Also, they are sold separately, so there is a slim chance that they will match your other pieces of furniture.
What is the Difference Between an Ottoman and a Footstool?
By comparing the two based on the descriptions above, you can already picture the difference between them. Aside from the size, the price, and the upholstery, an ottoman differs when it comes to coordination with other furniture. When you purchase an ottoman, it automatically comes with matching pieces of furniture. Meanwhile, a footstool does not match a specific table or chair, nor is it upholstered.
Conclusion
I hope that this article answered the question: what is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool? Although they serve the same purpose as a foot and leg rest, they differ in so many various ways, as mentioned above. You should also not discount the other kinds of footstools, namely the pouf and the hassock. When you go furniture shopping, make sure that you know what you want precisely in a footrest. You learned that different kinds are priced quite differently, so choose the one that best fits your budget and the layout of your home. Footstools can be functional or decorative, so choose wisely.
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