A couple of weeks ago my cousin was shopping for a new accent chair for her living room. Her husband’s only request was that it needed to have an ottoman. Well, the chair she chose didn’t have a matching one as an option so she quickly texted me asking if it was weird to have a mismatched chair/ottoman combo. I responded with a resounding “NO! It can look great!”
Of course, there are matching sets like Em’s vintage chair and ottoman above that look awesome together. But personally, I prefer a more mixed-matched, eclectic look.
First off, it’s an easy way to mix up styles in the same room. Take this photo above that Emily styled for Target in her old LA house. That chair is decidedly on the traditional side while the pouf is far more organic. But together they look great.
Or let’s look at the FDR chic sunroom Emily designed for her dear friend, Ian Brennan. While there is a mix of a few different styles in this room, the pairing of the wingback chair and leather Moroccan pouf is such a fun combo!
So while I don’t 100% think that Em intended this braided pouf to be paired with either of her accent chairs, see how good it looks with them!? That’s the beauty of choosing something that’s more neutral because well, it clearly can be very versatile.
Now, let’s real talk. There are a million stunning VERY expensive options on the market. The initial favorite my cousin and I found was over $1k. However, that price just isn’t realistic for most of us…especially for a not “totally essential” furniture piece. So below are 10 poufs and ottomans (including the one she decided on:)) that are almost all under $150!
In terms of sizing, we recommend that the ottoman is at most the same height as the seat height of your chair but a few inches lower is great:) And of course, you don’t want it wider than your chair either. Always measure before you buy! Ok, let’s look at these cuties…
Wide Round Pouf Ottoman
I really love this one! The shape is so chic (very Athena Calderone x Crate & Barrel vibes). It also comes in cream if you’d prefer it in a light color.
Teddy Fabric Footrest Ottoman
Organic Brutalism or Organic Postmodern, you decide! Either way, this is a very cool ottoman option that looks more expensive than it is ($115). It comes in two other darker options too:)
Pillow Top Ottoman
Speaking of Athena Calderone x Crate & Barrel vibes, this ottoman is under $100 and has the prettiest details. I love love the ball accent on the legs. 10/10
Ronja Upholstered Ottoman
This is the most expensive one on the list but I couldn’t not include it (also, this is the last boucle option:)). I just think this stool is fun but classic and simple. It also comes in white but is a little pricier.
Talbert Ottoman
We here at EHD say that muted greens and blues (and sometimes pinks) are neutrals! So this green velvet stunner would be a great chair companion for a room that is calling for a tiny bit of soft color. Doesn’t this ottoman remind you of Emily’s living room sofas??
Wellford Faux Leather Woven Cube
Wellford Faux Leather Woven Cube
Here we go! Leather!! What an undeniably versatile material (even if it’s faux:)). What’s so great about this one is the woven element because it’s got that visual interest but not in an overwhelming way. I think this could work in almost any home.
Unstuffed Faux Leather Pouf Cover
Unstuffed Faux Leather Pouf Cover
But if you want something a little simpler and richer in color, here is a $27 pouf cover! You do need to buy filling but it’s still very affordable and so pretty.
Wool Wrap Natural Pouf
This beauty was the one my cousin chose! The texture is beautiful, the rounded shape is the perfect contrast to the square chair and sectional in her living room and it’s just pretty. 10/10 would recommend (but no shoes allowed:))
Ashalyn Upholstered Ottoman
Now, if you don’t want to have to worry about any kind of dirt showing on your ottoman then this black boucle beauty would be perfect (ah, sorry I forgot I had one more in boucle). It’s like a modern mushroom and I think is super fun and would work with a bunch of different styles. Oh, and it also comes in cream:)
Ren Black Weave Pouf
Last but not least, I thought I’d throw in a little pattern! If you want something neutral but playful then I think this is a great option.
There you have it! I hope this was helpful and have a great weekend.
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Design by Julie Rose for EHD | Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: One of Emily’s Best Friends Gets The Cozy Yet Sophisticated Bedroom Makeover She Really Deserves
Such a timely post! I am looking for an ottoman for a rocking chair and need something that can withstand lots of use. So many of the poufs I’ve seen look like they might lose their shape over time. It also might be worth mentioning that the Ashalyn ottoman is only 10″ high…. I loved the shape but scale wise it’s not quite right 🙂
This is a great round-up. It’s hard to know how much to spend on an ottoman, which is usually non-weight-bearing. Lots of nice options.
Even in a non-shoe-wearing household I don’t think I could go with a white or cream ottoman!
Some lovely options! My real sorrow is that anything boucle, wool-wrapped, or enticingly textured will only read as Cat Scratcher-to-Be in my house. :/ They look so cozy, though. Alas, that fate has befallen even my Etsy Moroccan leather finds, and CB2 “knitted” poufs. I don’t love fake leather, but maybe that’s my move . . .
This has been awesome for us: https://www.etsy.com/listing/701948818/round-floor-cushion-straw-floor-pouf?ref=yr_purchases
We’ve had it for 5 years. It gets daily use (and abuse from kids) as a stool, ottoman, general plaything, and still looks and functions perfectly.
Wow, you did such a great job on this roundup. I need an ottoman and there are two in this post that I love. I am torn between the Pillow Top and the Talbert. I have had a pouf type before and it did not hold up well with use.
I would recommend the Montreal based brand, Baba Souk, for anyone looking for an affordable leather Moroccan pouf. They have a lot of products from Morocco and they ship to the US. I found my leather pouf (my dog uses it as a bed!) for about $50! They come unfilled and are very easy to fill with any old clothes, towels, bedding, etc. that you have around the house. And they have a nice selection of real Moroccan wool rugs too!
I 2nd this.