A foot rest, sometimes referred to as an ottoman, is a piece of furniture that is specifically designed to provide a seated person with a place to rest his or her feet. While it may seem at first that all foot rests are the same, this is not true. In fact, there are several things you should consider before purchasing a foot rest.
The first thing to consider when purchasing a foot rest is the style or color. This is particularly true if you are planning to add the foot rest to a room that already has established furniture. Naturally, you will want your foot rest to fit within the décor of your room. If you cannot find a foot rest that exactly matches the other pieces of furniture in your room, consider purchasing one in a neutral color. This way, it will compliment your décor without distracting from it.
After you have selected several foot rests that fit within the style of your room, it is time to consider the practical use of your ottoman. If you expect to use your foot rest as more than just a decoration, you need to make sure it will be comfortable. Ideally, your foot rest should be slightly shorter than the height of your couch or another piece of furniture you intend to pair the foot rest with. In this way, your feet will slightly decline as you sit and place your feet on the foot rest. If your feet are elevated or decline too sharply, your legs and feet may become uncomfortable. They may also become tingly, a phenomenon commonly referred to as “falling asleep.”
Also, make sure the foot rest is well padded. This is particularly true around the outer edges, where your legs will likely make contact as you place your feet in the middle of the foot rest. If the edges are not properly padded, they can cut into your leg as you rest your feet and can become quite uncomfortable.
Also consider the size of the foot rest. If it will be paired with a chair, it should be fairly small, yet large enough to accommodate one user. If it will be placed in front of a couch, on the other hand, you might want to purchase a larger foot rest that can be used by many people at the same time.
