Poufs with a storage box in the hallway: what are they and how to choose the right one?
A compact and multifunctional pouf today is an indispensable element of the interior in such a part of our home as the hallway. It's not just a useful piece of furniture to sit on while putting on your shoes, or put your bag back home. An ottoman can help maintain order in an apartment, hiding all sorts of everyday little things, and also become a stylish design decoration and a highlight of your hallway.
A bit of history
The history of this irreplaceable interior element goes back centuries. It is believed to be a gift from the East. Moroccan poufs resembled a hard round pillow, sewn from individual petals. Having come to Europe during the Crusades, poufs were considered a luxury available only to members of the aristocracy. Made of expensive fabric, embroidered with precious stones, poufs adorned the palace halls, where balls and receptions were held.
Miniature banquettes served as a place for the ladies to rest between dances.
Not taking up much space, poufs gradually displaced heavier armchairs and couches from almost all interior rooms. Soft and compact, not taking up much space, ottomans are an important element of decor today., and in terms of practicality and variety, they have long overtaken their "ancestors".
Where and how are they used?
The scope of modern poufs is very wide. Entering every room of our house, they can play the role of a bedside table in the bedroom, a coffee or coffee table in the living room., and in a cozy corner for relaxation next to a floor lamp and an armchair, you can comfortably put your feet on the ottoman. In the nursery, puffs-bags in the form of funny animals can be located.And, of course, no hallway can do without it.
Nuances of choice
Some are looking for a thing at an affordable cost, for others, appearance is important, and still others need additional space where you can put things. Of course, the ideal choice will be when all the components are selected: price, quality, functionality and compliance with the style of the hallway.
The height of this interior element is usually unchanged, but the depth, width, shape and color of the model can vary significantly.
When making your choice, you should pay attention to all the important characteristics.
The form
Models in the shape of a rectangle or square are popular due to their high ergonomics. Owners of small areas often choose these ottomans, and furniture manufacturers skillfully fit them into ready-made furniture sets.
Corner corners will also fit perfectly into a small corridor., while fulfilling all the requirements for this important piece of furniture - beautiful design, diminutiveness and storage capacity.
Oval and round models look very decorative and eye-catching, but take up more space in the room. Their effective appearance reduces the functionality and reduces the internal volume of the box of such models.
Design
The poufs are characterized by features such as no armrests, padded seating and internal storage capacity. The assortment of stores offers hard and soft options for poufs, stationary and mobile. There are several main types of this piece of furniture.
- Banquettes with retractable compartments are perfect for storing household items.
- The ottoman is a spacious seat, under which there is a shelf for magazines and books.
- A universal pouf-cabinet is a comfortable place to relax, including a system for storing personal belongings.
- The pouf box is equipped with a folding seat. In such a model with a cover, you can place winter and summer shoes. Puffs are often equipped with wheels, which makes them easier to move.
- Combined models are very convenient. These can include drawers, open shelves, and shelves with doors. With this design, shoes, which are used more often, remain visible, while other things are folded into closed niches.
Frame material and type
There are a huge number of materials for the production of frames. Wood, bamboo, cork, rattan, metal, MDF, fiberboard, chipboard and many others.
At home, craftsmen use the most unusual structural elements when creating poufs. These can be plastic bottles, wire spools, worn-out tires and pallets.
And decoratively executed models made of expensive wood amaze with their grace and sometimes claim the title of rare works of art.
- Closed-frame products are usually upholstered with wear-resistant upholstery fabric, leather or leatherette. These ottomans can be easily moved around the room using small castors.
- Budget models - open-frame poufs. They look like cubic stools on low legs, with a metal or wooden bottom.
- Bag poufs without a frame are often used in modern interiors. Round, square, triangular or pear-shaped, they are filled with polystyrene foam balls with hypoallergenic properties and emollients.
- Inflatable ottomans look original. They are made of durable furniture fabric, inside which an inflatable chamber is placed. The fabric covers with a zipper are easy to remove for washing.
- Forged products are considered classics. These poufs are an amazing combination of durability, reliability, sophistication and style. They look very durable and airy at the same time.
Choosing an ottoman, you need to pay attention to the filler. The seat should be comfortable for you, optimal in terms of softness / rigidity. An excellent solution would be a device with a spring block.
Upholstery
The upholstery protects the filling of the seat of the pouf from abrasion and gives decorative effect to the walls of the furniture. The quality of the upholstery material determines the practicality and durability of the product, and the texture and color scheme help to make its design unique.
Today's manufacturers offer furniture textiles treated with special impregnations that provide protection against dirt and moisture penetration.
The leatherette upholstery is easy to use, easy to clean and has a wide range of colors. But the most reliable and durable material is still genuine leather.
Designers use unusual materials for their author's projects. These are chunky knitwear, fur, burlap and patchwork patchwork technique. These are not very practical materials to use, but ottomans with such a coating will give the interior a “zest”, and knitted and fur items will help create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort in the room.
Style
To create modern, classic and rustic interior styles, you need to rely on proven design rules.
The space should be designed in the same style, observing the rules of a harmonious combination of shapes and colors. This will require a competent professional approach.
This is what experienced designers advise us to create a comfortable and eye-pleasing environment in the hallway.
- The classic style is distinguished by presentability and nobility. As a rule, these are models of fine woods with leather upholstery. Suitable for the decoration of expensive interiors, country mansions.
- Art Nouveau pouf can be made of laminated MDF or chipboard and upholstered with leatherette or textiles. The decor uses stylized plant motifs.
- Eco-style lovers often choose poufs of simple shapes made from natural materials. Wood, rattan, vine, bamboo and linen will allow you to feel close to the natural beauty of nature.
- Modern styles are all about functionality and conciseness. The simple frame and minimal decor are contrasted with unusual color schemes.
- For country and Provence styles, wood furniture is suitableand bright floral motifs will prevail in textile upholstery. An antique stylized ottoman will help create the atmosphere of an old Russian estate or a cozy house in the Provencal outback.
Colour
Your pouf-pedestal can be in the tone of the hallway, gently blending into the interior, or it can serve as a bright accent that attracts attention. The color is also chosen based on the style and size of the hallway. For example, in small rooms with artificial lighting, light models will look better, adding freshness and "air".
Light pastel shades will visually enlarge a small space. Classic and modern styles suggest sandy and woody colors, white, green.
Hi-tech and modern style - white, black, metallic shades or vibrant colors. Provence - pink and gold, mint, light green and muted pastel tones.
Advice
When you choose poufs with a storage box in the hallway, pay special attention to the fittings. Retractable mechanisms, fasteners and hinges must be of high quality in order for the product to last a long time.
If your budget is small, choose models where the seat cover is not fixed with hinges and can be removed by hand.
When there are small children and pets in the house, get ottomans without sharp corners, with wear-resistant upholstery.
The entrance hall is the first room in the house after the street. Dirty shoes, clothes that are wet from rain and snow, or a bag can all negatively affect furniture made from low-quality materials.
Choose coatings that are easy to clean or moisture resistant.
Today furniture stores present a huge assortment of poufs for every taste. Armed with the basics of design theory, you can turn the routine purchase of an interior item into an exciting creative activity, the result of which will be filling your home with beauty, harmony and comfort.
See below for an overview of the ottoman drawer.