Style inspiration: Ottomans

For so long they've been an under appreciated piece of living room furniture, but now ottomans are making a comeback. For first time ever, ottomans appeared in this year's top 10 furniture searches in the Interiors Trend Report ,and there is a host of wonderful designs out there, from the high street to high end.

The name 'ottoman' harks back to the piece's design origins in the part of the Ottoman Empire that's modern-day Turkey - so much more than an incredibly chic travel destination.

Today,ottomans hold a modern and universal appeal. Not only do they come in a huge range of shapes, configurations, and styles, they aremultipurpose gems. They can be used as a table substitute, an extra chair, or a decorative footstool for a sofa, as well as offering extra space-saving storage.

Whether you'd like one made of luxury velvet, leather, or suede, and designed to sit in your living room, hallway or bedroom, take inspiration from these great ottoman styles.

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Luxe touch

Get the look: The sofa and ottoman are from Les Trois Garçons. This is the Bubble Crisscross Ball pendant by George Nelson for Modernica at SCP. The reclaimed radiator and parquet flooring are from The Architectural Forum. The Billy Rainbow,left, and Babe Rainbow prints are by Peter Blake.

Velvet smooth

Get the look:The Fifties armchair and ottoman are upholstered in Designers Guild’s Varese velvet. The pendant is from Two Columbia Road. The walls are painted in Card Room Green estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball.

Go deep

Get the look: This deep yellow ottoman was made to order to match the pollen colour of the arched stained glass window.

Chilled Ibizan

Get the look: Who says an ottoman has to be upholstered in soft fabric? This Bangkok ottoman in Suede Tan, £7,178, is from Flexform at Interdesign. A solid structure made of wood and metal, it is padded to make it soft enough to sit on, but hard enough to rest objects on its surface. Hanging rattan bowl chair, £625, HKLiving at Out There Interiors. Tipi Pink rug, £339, Brink & Campman at Woven. Cushions, in the chair, from left: Mandu Tribal Cow cushion, £55, Graham and Green.

Eclectic vibe

Get the look: This is a David Seyfried ottoman, teamed with a vintage day bed from Opium. The rug is from SCP. The reversed mirror is from M Goldstein – it was originally used at an American airport during the Forties to reflect light for incoming planes.

Get sporty

Get the look: This smart preppy look is emboldened by the ottoman, £145, from Monreal London. There's also a recycled blanket, £30, Graham and Green. Biella Midnight & Wedgwood bed linen, from £99 for a single duvet cover, Designers Guild. Josephine lamp, £185, Pols Potten at Amara. Tumbler alarm clock, £115, Menu at Places and Spaces. Solar rug, from £179, Conran at M&S.

Colour pop

Get the look: This bright, energising ottoman is from sofa.com. The chairs are by Brissi via The Mint List Interior Design. The cushion on the floor is by Timorous Beasties. The small print on the mantelpiece is by Pure Evil.