Living in a tiny urban apartment forces you to think about space intelligently, and investing in multi-functional furniture should be your first port of call. Everyone I know who lives in the city has the same ideology, prioritizing furniture that doubles as storage or extra seating, and it would seem Martha Stewart also has these principles down to a T.
Despite Martha Stewart's property portfolio spanning a Bedford farmhouse and Hamptons retreat, the lifestyle guru proves she understands the need for multifunctional furniture, starting with her Cedric Tufted Round Ottoman (available at Wayfair).
As you would expect from a well-designed ottoman, this piece serves as both an ultra-comfortable seat and a footrest, but it's also a hidden storage savior. Below the gray upholstery sits a veneer shelf, offering discreet storage space for your living room or bedroom essentials. It's the perfect place to store TV remotes, books, and matches for your nearby candles.
It's currently hiding deep on Wayfair with 37% off, meaning you can get a new seat and storage for under $303.
Designed by Martha Stewart, this ottoman features a button-tufted top upholstered in gray fabric with high-density foam filling, providing exceptional comfort. The lower veneer shelf (perfect for storage) and solid wood-turned legs showcase a smooth reclaimed gray finish to complement the upholstery. Plus, it will look just as beautiful in a city apartment as it will in a farmhouse (and, since it carries Martha's good name, you can expect it to last for many years to come).
To utilize this storage space, I suggest investing in a rattan tray (much like the ones below) that creates a stylish zone to keep your essentials neat and tidy. It's an ideal solution for my small living room, but as designers explain, you shouldn't overlook the bedroom.
'Incorporating an ottoman into the bedroom is a smart and stylish way to enhance both the functionality and aesthetic of the space. It provides additional seating or storage, while also adding a touch of luxury and comfort,' comments Cristina Rugo, the creative director at Greyciane.
If you're bringing your ottoman to your bedroom, Cristina recommends positioning it at the front of your bed to create 'the perfect focal point, balancing practicality with elegance.'
She continues: 'Layering furniture is an effective way to elevate any room, and an ottoman is the ideal example of how the right piece can introduce texture, colour, and sophistication to your bedroom.'
A tray is such a versatile piece all year round, but it comes into its own in the summer months when it brings an escapist aesthetic to any living room. It's the perfect ottoman pairing.
Organize accessories and other miscellaneous items effortlessly on your countertop with this beautiful tray.
For those looking for something with a deeper, richer tone, this dark brown rattan tray should do the trick. It boasts leather-wrapped handles for a luxe edge and will look beautiful when styled up on a coffee table, ottoman, or bookshelves.
