Seagrass Ottomans

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert

Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

Updated 25/03/2021

Who knew that seagrass could be turned into furniture? And that the furniture would be so fetching? These seagrass ottomans are a nice addition to any seaside home, or any home with a more coastal motif. They are lightweight but can support a person using them for a foot rest, or even a simple seat. Take a look at this collection for details.

Buying Guide

Once you've committed to the rest of your living room or outdoor furnishings, it isn't uncommon to want to incorporate an ottoman as an additional table piece or footrest. The addition of a seagrass ottoman not only brings functionality into the space, but it does so uniquely and creatively. Not only are you bringing texture into your area, but you're also bringing in a neutral piece that you can tailor any way you'd like. Because there are many options to consider, we're going to help narrow you're options.

Is seagrass a durable material?

When seagrass is made into furniture, it's woven while the reeds are still green, so it becomes tough and rigid upon drying. In doing so, the exterior becomes shiny and sturdy, so it's resistant to staining and maintenance is easy. However, because it's made from a plant, it doesn't hold up well when left outside in heavy rains. Unfortunately, this will result in rot.

How to maintain seagrass ottomans?

Day to day cleaning includes using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and dirt that may have accumulated in the weave. You can also use a soft cloth to wipe the furniture down. It's important to keep the furniture away from direct sunlight because this will cause the reeds to fade. You can prevent this from occurring by varnishing the seagrass's reeds.

What's the recommended height for an ottoman?

Make sure that, when you're shopping for seagrass ottomans, you measure the exact height of your sofa before you head to the store. Look for an ottoman that's the same height or one inch shorter than your couch. If you select one that's above the height of your couch, then it won't be a comfortable footrest or occasional table option.

What designs of seagrass ottomans are there to choose from?

There are many different designs of seagrass ottomans from which to choose depending on your taste and needs. For example:

Round seagrass coffee table: these are optimal if you'd like to use the ottoman as a multi-purpose piece that doubles as a coffee table.
Rectangle or square storage seagrass ottoman: in addition to looking like a coffee table, this ottoman also features storage inside.
Cushioned ottoman: this kind of ottoman is an excellent choice for those who are looking for additional seating options.
Ottomans with wooden tops: utilization of these ottomans are an excellent choice if you’d like to add a piece that doubles as an occasional table in your space.

How to decorate with ottomans?

When making your selections, it’s critical that you look at the size of the seagrass ottoman in relationship to the rest of your furniture. If you choose one that’s too big not only in height but its overall size as well, you’ll be tripping over it, and it won’t look balanced in the rest of the room. If you choose one that’s too small, it’ll become lost and out of place. While there are no measurement rules, the best advice is to see how the ottoman looks in the room visually when making your purchasing decisions.