Patio Ottomans

Everyone needs a helping hand when trying out new things and browsing the market for your new patio ottoman is nothing exceptional. Simply put, you need to have some very basic knowledge to make a properly informed decision. So without further ado, let's get on with it.

How To Buy Patio Ottomans

The key points you need to consider before buying patio ottomans are as follows:

• Ease of care
• Style
• Available space
• Flexibility
• Budget

Since your ottomans are going to stay outside they should be easy to take care of. This actually depends on its material and shape. If it's hard to handle or made of barely sturdy materials then you might end up spending too much time caring for you.

The style should depend on your own taste. Should it stand out as a centerpiece that immediately attracts attention? Or something that complements the whole patio structure? You have a huge range to choose from, starting from traditional and all the way up to modern.

How much space do you have? The last thing you need is to clutter up your outdoor space with a very pretty, very expensive massive coffee table ottoman. And vice-versa.

It should also be as flexible as you can afford. Modern ottomans are often multi-functional, meaning, they can be used as seats, tables and storage spaces. It depends on personal taste but higher flexibility usually translate to better usage.

And last but not least, your budget. Outdoor ottomans range from mere $20 to many couples of hundreds. Remember not to take decision solely on how much you want to spend. A bit of flexibility here would serve in the long run.

Features of Outdoor Ottomans

There are three key features of patio ottomans that you need to be aware of.

• Shape
• Material
• Function

Ottomans are either round, square or rectangular in shape. Round ottomans offer a more playful and relaxed scene while square gives it a more classic structure. Besides being used as a seat and a place to put your feet up, rectangular ottomans are most commonly used as tables.

Naturally, materials for your ottomans have to be sturdy since they remain somewhat exposed to the elements. A mix of rattan and vinyl could be ideal. However, if your patio is shaded or if you can ensure care, go for leather or fabric as well.

Next comes the purpose. Do you want to simply use it as an extra seating space or something more complex? Keep flexibility in mind but don't forget to ask how much of it you actually need and want.

Styles of Outdoor Ottomans

The six most popular styles are:

• Modern
• Contemporary
• Casual
• Traditional
• Classic
• Mid-century modern

Modern outdoor ottomans are the most flexible in nature. They offer the most versatile set of functions and their materials represent the latest breakthrough. You could find modern designs at surprisingly low prices.

The contemporary style represents the immediate present; what is tasteful right "now". Some scoff at contemporary designs as fads but remember the most important thing about fads: they come back over and over and form a whole fashion curve. All you have to make sure is your choice actually represents your taste.

The best thing about casual style ottomans is that they put an immediate relaxed and friendly feel to your patio. Consider the round and inflatable ottomans, for instance. People can sit on them with their whole body relaxed without needing to find a place to put their feet up. Best not to be mixed with an elegant or traditional scene, though.

A traditional ottoman is a cushioned surface sitting atop a sturdy frame, often made of wood. These ottomans never come with storage space. While a separate tray can be used to turn it into a table, it's not a function often sought by its buyers. They often represent unique tastes from days gone by.

The classic style is more of an extension of the modern that merged with tradition. Classic patio ottomans do feature the functions often lacking in the traditional style. Buttoned leather or vinyl covered cushion is often a "classic" classic choice.

And finally, the mid-century modern. You can spot them from quite a distance thanks to their unique angled legs, plain surface and constant square or rectangular shapes. It's hard to mark them as just another seating space unless your whole patio is styled after the mid-century manner.

Reasons To Buy Patio Ottomans

Let us now see why ottomans are mandatory for your patio.

The first obvious reason is their flexibility. Use them as you want: as a seat or a table or both. If there are multiple of these then you could put away one or two to make more room to relax. Or you could add in the ones you had previously put away to use as immediate seats or foot-rests.

Modern ottomans offer the choice of extra storage. Usually, the top or seat can be opened up as a lid and you can use the inside space to store things like books, magazines or sunscreen; things that you often use during outdoor relaxations. If you think about it, it could also work as an extra layer of protection against heat for your cooler. Often, the storage space is accessible through side drawers instead.

You can also use ottomans to give the view of your patio or garden a whole different structure by their arrangement. Square ottomans placed somewhat strategically is a common method to influence a geometrical feel, which often matches both the modern and the traditional taste.

Nowadays, ottomans also come in child-friendly designs. If it's big enough, children can gather together in their own separate space to play games; obviously, the ones that don't involve running around.

So now you what to keep in mind while choosing patio ottomans. You have your budget but use it more of a guideline than the decisive factor. Keep in mind the amount of exposure your ottoman's going to endure and choose the materials accordingly. But don't be over-enthusiastic and buy something that clogs up the place where you intend to relax. Find the design that best complements your personal taste, setting, environment, and budget and you're good to go.