Ottomans are a contemporary, stylish and functional addition to most any office environment. Whether intended as a footrest, a storage compartment, a coffee table or simply as additional seating, an ottoman is a versatile piece of furniture that will always have a place in the business world.

You can find ottomans information at most any furniture or office furniture store. Some are sold coupled with a matching chair, while others are available as separate, stand-alone pieces of furniture. They come in all styles, sizes, colors and fabrics and in a wide range of prices. Before you shop for ottomans, list the information you need to know:

1. How ottomans will be used

2. What type of fabric and color you want for your ottomans

3. Whether you're in the market for a unique or special ottomans

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine what your ottomans will be used for

Ottomans that are intended to be used primarily as footstools are generally smaller and often lower to the ground. Storage ottomans have either a drawer or a top that lifts off to stash goodies such as magazines and blankets. Ottomans that double as coffee tables or are intended as additional seating are larger and sometimes come with trays.

I recommend: Head over to Discount Ottoman Store for a nice selection of different ottoman types. One Way Furniture is another great source for a large variety of ottoman styles and sizes--including chair/ottoman combinations.

Choose the color and fabric that will work best on your ottomans

Will your ottomans be exposed to direct sunlight? Will they be paired with existing furniture or an existing chair? Will they be used heavily or by children? The answers to all of these questions will help you determine the color and fabric and find the ottomans provider that will suit your needs best.

I recommend: Microfiber ottomans like the ones at OfficeFurniture.com are a comfortable option with easy maintenance and a variety of colors to choose from. Leather, wood and vinyl, in addition to a variety of colors, are some of the options offered on the ottomans at Visiondecor Furniture.

Consider ottomans with special flair

Want to make a statement with an ottoman? Need something that will bring a smile to the faces of children? Looking for a piece to fit with the unusual theme of your existing decor? All ottomans are not created equal; if you can envision it, there's a good chance it's out there.

I recommend: Ottomans.com has some fun ottomans for a childrens' environment, including animals and puzzle shapes. Two more great sources for out-of-the-ordinary ottomans are iFurn and CSN Office Furniture, sites that takes ottoman innovation to a whole new level.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although typing 'ottomans directory' into your web browser might bring up a large list of ottoman providers, clicking through it to find what you're looking for might be more trouble than it's worth.