An Ottoman is a low footrest or bench that can be upholstered or made from wood. It can be used for storage, as a footstool or for extra seating. It is often also referred to as a blanket box. They can come in many different sizes, colours and designs. It’s history, although debated over, is likely to be traced back to the ottoman empire where they would often be used as a large area seating area. They used to be so large that they could fit around 3 walls or a room. They were often covered in cushions to make it as comfortable as possible. Over time they were sized down and became smaller so that they could fit neatly into one corner of a room.