Ottomans are a great way to spice up your living room. There are many designs, colors, and sizes to choose from.
But does your ottoman have to match the chair?
Matching Ottoman and The Chair
Matching your ottoman to your chair can have its benefits. However, you don’t need to have matching pieces. In fact, a lot of modern interior designers encourage mismatched designs to add character and style to your home.
Here’s everything you need to know about matching and mismatching your furniture, including when and how to do it right.
So, keep reading to find out!
Should You Match You Ottoman to The Chair?
It might surprise you that your ottoman doesn’t need to match the living room chair.
After all, as long as the entire living room is tied together with complementary furniture, you can mix and match all you like.
Still, there are a few general guidelines for matching ottomans to chairs.
First and foremost, it depends on how you’ll be using this living room stool.
For instance, if you plan on using the ottoman as a footstool by the chair, everything about this footstool needs to match perfectly.
Yet, you can get more creative if you use it on its own or have it double as a coffee table.
You should also consider the style of interior design you’re going for.
That’s because design rules can change depending on your personal preference and the style of the times.
For example, eclectic decor style merges many different hues and fabrics, so having an ottoman that stands out is a must for this style.
On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the popular minimalist style, then all your furniture needs to match as much as possible.
If this is the case, then you don’t have much room to unleash your creativity, and your ottoman must match the chair.
The Right Way to Match Ottomans and Chairs
As mentioned above, your ottoman should definitely be a close match to the chair if you’re planning on using them together.
It helps to research your favorite interior design style for inspiration on how closely to match the two pieces.
Then, if you’re not a confident interior designer, matching your furniture will basically cut your work in half.
After all, you chose the chair because you like it, so it’s okay to have a similar piece in your living room!
Still, how do you get the furniture to match perfectly? Take a look.
1. Match Colors
The first thing you should consider is the color of your furniture. Ideally, the shade should be identical.
However, if this isn’t possible, sticking to the same tones should be enough.
For example, there are many shades of blue out there.
Yet, a turquoise ottoman will look out of place standing next to a navy blue chair.
So, even if you can’t have the same colors, a similar shade is practically the next best thing!
It’s worth noting that, sometimes, you might fall in love with an item that doesn’t fit in with your living room decor.
Yet, if you’re adamant about buying it, a slipcover in the same shade as the chair or couch can be a lifesaver.
Alternatively, a blanket or throw are two other great options.
2. Consider Accents
If your chair has wood details, your ottoman should also have the same wood stain.
In fact, your entire room should have a similar wood stain.
The same goes for brass accents.
Though there are plenty of choices to pick from, such as gold, silver, rose-gold, or copper, it’s better to stick to one type.
3. Select One Manufacturer
The easiest way to match the ottoman to the chair is by buying them both from the same store.
Ideally, you’ll want to get both pieces from the same line, but that’s not always possible.
Your other option is to try and get a close match from the same manufacturer.
Manufacturers often reuse the same hardware and fabrics on many of their pieces, making it easier for you to find a matching set.
Mixing and Matching Between the Ottoman and The Chair
Mixing up your furniture is a trending interior design trick.
As a matter of fact, a lot of furniture sets sold in stores feature mismatching pieces.
The unique piece will give your room more depth and provide some contrast with the rest of the furniture.
So, when your old ottoman runs its course, you don’t have to worry about getting an identical one.
What’s more is that you can place a mismatched ottoman anywhere in your home.
It doesn’t need to be placed next to a chair, allowing you to get a lot more use out of it.
Still, mismatching your ottoman to the chair can be tricky.
You certainly don’t want to create a visual disaster that causes your guests to cringe.
So, here are some things you should be on the lookout for.
1. Ottoman Size
The most crucial part of mismatching your ottoman to the chair is size.
While you can do almost anything with fabrics and colors, this is one important feature that can never be overlooked.
There’s a general rule among interior designers that your ottoman should be the same height, or a couple of inches shorter, than the chair.
If it’s any higher, it won’t be as comfortable.
Furthermore, if your furniture is compact, your ottoman should reflect that.
For example, a large-sized piece in a closely packed room might seem overpowering.
Similarly, one that’s too small can seem insignificant and out of place.
2. Style
There are many interior design styles to choose from.
While it may be challenging to pick your favorite, avoid mixing and matching different styles.
That’s because each style is used to create a distinct vibe.
For example, no matter how much you love mid-century and coastal styles, they can never go together.
3. Common Ground
The easiest way to mismatch furniture is to stick to one small element that links both pieces together.
Let’s take the material as an example.
If your entire living room furniture is made of canvas, velvet, or even leather, you can choose the furniture of different colors or designs.
Just make sure you include the same texture to make the room feel cohesive.
Alternatively, you can add several matching elements yourself.
Say your ottoman is in a contrasting color from the chair.
Then, why not get a pillow that’s the same color as the chair as a way of bringing the two furniture pieces together?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should Be the Size of Your Ottoman?
The general rule is that the ottoman should be about two-thirds the width of the couch.
Yet, if you’re only comparing it to your chair, it should be the same width or slightly bigger.
As for the height, it should never be taller than the chair. Otherwise, it’ll be awkward to use.
Can You Have Two Ottomans that Don’t Match?
Having more than one ottoman is a great decorative choice.
Yet, if the two don’t match the chair, they should at least match each other.
However, it’s okay to have one ottoman that doesn’t match as long as the other one matches the chair.
At the same time, make sure you find a common cohesive element that ties everything together.
Where Should You Place Your Ottoman?
Placing your ottoman depends on what you’ll be using it for.
If you want to use it as a footrest, it should be about 12 inches from the chair.
On the other hand, if you want to use it as a coffee table, place it about 12 to 18 inches away from the chair.
