Why A Wooden Ottoman Should Be Your Next Home Staple

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Robyn

It’s no secret that an ottoman can be a handy piece of furniture to have around the home. Whether it’s a key storage solution in your bedroom, or an extra seating option in the living room or even just a surface to rest your feet on after a long day, investing in a good ottoman gives you access to a flexible storage solution perfect for any room. Our wooden ottomans come in a wide range of finishes, sizes, styles and colours to suit your home – here’s why you should invest in one as your next home staple.

Wood Is Better For The Environment

Wooden furniture is some of the most environmentally friendly around, offering you a long-lasting piece that you can cherish without harming the environment. Wood is a renewable resource that, when planned correctly, can be harvested and replanted in a way that ensures sustainability. Some work needs to be done to ensure that selective and sensible harvesting practices are followed, but with responsibly-sourced wood, you can buy brand new pieces with extra peace of mind. Wood harvesting and manufacturing is also becoming a zero-waste industry, with long-lasting furniture and decorations that can be sold on again and again, and the remaining wood from a tree can be used for bark, fuel and more.

Product — *Pictured: Selma Two-Tone Solid Wood Blanket Box*

Ottomans Are Multi-Purpose

Any ottoman, whether it’s wooden, upholstered, plastic or something else entirely, is a great multi-purpose piece that offers storage, seating solutions, somewhere to rest your feet and can even act as a coffee table or side table. Wooden ottomans in particular are great for personalising with runners or blankets to create a softer look, or to be left free-standing as toy boxes, craft storage or even linen storage for bed sheets and blankets.

They Fit Any Room

So you bought an ottoman for your bedroom, but no longer need it in that particular space – move it! Ottomans can fit in with any room, whether that’s a living room, kids bedroom, home office, family room, media room and in some cases, even a bathroom. With the right treatments and care, an ottoman could make great towel or bathmat storage in a bathroom, offering easy access right when you need them. There’ll be no more forgetting a towel after a shower!

Wood Can Easily Be Painted Or Treated

Wooden ottomans already come in a vast range of colours, finishes and styles but the good thing about wooden furniture is that, with a little preparation, it’s easy to paint or re-treat to match a chance in interior design. Whether you’re looking to modernise your home and want to paint it white or a stylish shade of grey, or you want a pop of colour in a newly decorated bedroom and are breaking out brighter tones, wooden ottomans can be painted and repainted to keep them looking fresh and brand new for longer.

It’s Durable And Sturdy

If there’s one thing we all want from our furniture, wooden or otherwise, it’s that we want it to stand the test of time. Furniture can sometimes be costly and so it’s important that the furniture you do buy for your home is durable, sturdy and will last. Our range of wooden ottomans are tried and true styles that could even last a lifetime with the right care and maintenance. Rest assured they are sturdy, strong and durable, perfect for storing everything from books and magazines, to toys and costumes for your kids.

Take a look at our wooden ottomans to find the perfect new staple piece for your home. For more information or advice on your purchase, feel free to get in touch with our team, today.

Keep Your Kids Room’s Tidy With These Fun Toy Boxes

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Robyn

If there is one thing you can more or less guarantee when it comes to having kids, it’s that your home will never stay completely tidy again. With toys in seemingly every room, constantly clearing up and finding a place to put all of the odd bits and pieces can seem like a full time job. With a sturdy toy box, you can at least solve the problem of knowing where to put the toys and if you’re lucky, it might even encourage the little ones to help you tidy up. Here are some fun toy boxes you could try.

Plain But Colourful

If you’d rather keep things plain and simple but perfect for a child’s bedroom, the Ethan and Katelyn Faux Leather and Suede Ottomans offer plenty of space and a simple block-colour design. Available in an array of colours and either a faux leather or suede finish, it can be matched to the existing theme in the room or to your child’s favourite colour. Each one measures at 81 x 42 x 48, giving you plenty of room for toys or even clothes, blankets, dressing up costumes and more.

Fun Patterns

Fun colours and patterns can brighten up any room but for kids in particular, it’s a great way to inject a bit of fun into their bedroom or play area. The Striped upholstered toy box is a simple yet fun gem that’s perfect for storing toys and costumes and with a soft top, can even be used as an extra seat to perch on while getting ready in the morning. Available in two different colour schemes – paintbox and graphite – it’s ideal for both younger and older children in need of some storage space.

Cute Characters

Younger children in particular love a cute character or two, so why not get a toy box to match? The Panda Upholstered Toy Box is a soft-top box available in punk, aqua and Bamboo, making it an ideal choice to match any bedroom or child’s preference. It comes complete with cute panda cartoon designs for a fun addition to the room.

If Panda’s aren’t quite enough, the Jungle Upholstered Toy Box is also a great way to introduce cute characters and animals into a child’s bedroom. Available in ‘Paintbox’ and ‘Orange’ with each featuring different animals, you can cater to whatever your child’s favourite animal might be.

Both toy boxes come in two different sizes – small and large, with the measurements for small sitting at 58.5 x 39 x 44cm, and large sitting at 86.5 x 35.5 x 39cm depending on how much space you may need for toys, games, costumes, clothes and more.

While a toybox isn’t a foolproof way of keeping the home tidy, it does offer a fun storage solution for packing away toys at the end of the day. For more information about our children’s toy boxes or to place an order, get in touch or browse our range, today.

Make The Most Of Your Ottoman With These 8 Uses

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Robyn

If you’ve been looking to buy an ottoman, chances are you already know just how convenient they can be. Perfect as a stylish storage solution, ottomans and blanket boxes come in a huge variety of different shapes and sizes, meaning they can fit into any room in any odd spot without too much trouble. All that’s really left to do is decide what you want to store inside. If you don’t already have a designated We’ve got eight potential uses to help you get started.

An Organiser

Need a bit of extra storage in your living room or office for those important documents? Whether you work from home or just have a lot of paperwork you need to store, an ottoman could easily be fitted as an organiser or filing cabinet. Whether you add files, boxes or baskets to add segments to the space or just pop your paperwork directly into the space, it can be a great way to keep things all in one place and not laying about cluttering your home.

A Toy Box

What better way to tidy away all the clutter and toys your kids leave laying around than with a convenient ottoman? Doubling up as a seat for them to perch on, an ottoman toy chest makes it easy to tidy up at the end of the day with one place to put all of the toys and teddys to keep things clear as much as possible. What’s more, they can be set up in a nursery or bedroom, or in a living room for convenient toy access throughout the day.

Craft Boxes

Whether you’re a crafty person yourself or your kids have a love for all things arts and crafts, ottomans make for a great place to tuck away your supplies when they’re not being used. Whether it’s boxes of beads or sewing stuff, or balls of yarn, papers, glues and frankly anything else you can think of, an ottoman can help give you a place to tidy away all of the clutter if you don’t have the space for a craft room in your home.

Dress Up Boxes

Dressing up is undoubtedly one of the most fun things a kid can do, embarking on make-believe adventures dressed up as their favourite characters or animals to spend the day as someone else. At the end of that day or when they’re done and want to move on to the next activity, you can pop the costumes back into the ottoman and they’re tidied away ready for the next make-believe adventure.

Shoes

Whether you’ve got loads of shoes, or just have nowhere to put the few pairs you have, an ottoman offers a useful storage solution to keep them from cluttering up the hallway. Set up the ottoman by your front door for easy access to shoes as you leave, and somewhere to pop them on your way back in. There’ll be no more manic searches for your shoes when you’re already late and if you have kids, you can even double it up as somewhere for them to sit while they put their shoes on and get ready to leave.

Double Up As A Coffee Table

Multi-use furniture is becoming more and more common, from storage beds to footstools that double as temporary spare seating – they all offer more than one use and save on space at the same time. Larger ottomans can make perfect coffee tables that not only offer you a solid surface for drinks or remote controls, but will provide ample storage for anything from magazines and books, to cushions and throws. Our Selma Two-Tone Solid Wood Blanket Box, for example, provides plenty of storage space and a unique design for any living room. Pop a runner over the top for a softer finish and to protect the wood top.

Store Bedding

One of the best places to keep an ottoman is at the end of your bed, and where better to store your bedding? Whether it’s spare sheets, a spare quilt or even an extra blanket or two for the particularly chilly nights, ottomans are ideal. They also provide a more solid surface to perch on when getting dressed or even an alternate bedside table, with room to place books, laptops and more.

Store Memories

Finally, if you’ve stored all that needs to be stored, why not use the ottoman to store your more precious items that won’t fit on the shelf? You can use your ottoman as secure and safe storage for photo albums, letters, significant clothing items or anything else you hold dear that needs a place to sit. They’ll be safe and organised in a blanket box, and easily accessible any time you feel like a trip down memory lane.

For more information about our blanket boxes or what you can use them for, feel free to get in touch with our team or have a browse of our full range and see what suits you and your home best.

Caring For Your Wooden Blanket Box

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Robyn

Wood is one of the most versatile and unique materials available today but like any, can always benefit from a little TLC throughout its lifetime. Properly maintaining any wooden furniture can help it to withstand the test of time and keep it looking brand new for longer but if you’ve never cared for wooden furniture before, knowing where to start can be daunting. We’ve compiled a few tips to get you started.

Protect It From Heat

If you’re planning to use your brand new wooden ottoman as a coffee table, it’s important to make sure you use coasters for hot drinks and other protection such as placemats or potholders for other hot items. Tablecloths can also be used to protect from spills and simply removed if you want to access whatever you choose to store inside the ottoman.

Pictured: Selma Two Toned Solid Wood Blanket Box

Consider Potential Environmental Damage

Sunlight is one of the last things we think of when it comes to environmental damage, particularly on furniture we have indoors. When wood is subject to light and heat for prolonged periods of time, the colour can fade and the material can be damaged and even become dry and brittle, ultimately leading to breakages. Keep your ottoman away from the window where possible, or cover it up on particularly hot or sunny days if you can.

Keep It Clean And Dust-Free

Regularly dusting and cleaning off your ottoman is a must if you want to keep it scratch and smudge free. While it doesn’t seem like a particularly corrosive substance, dust can lead to scratches on the surface of your wood and build up a film layer that can discolour and damage it too. For this reason, it’s important to keep on top of dusting your wooden ottoman with a soft cloth, ideally microfibre or cotton. On the occasions where dusting isn’t quite enough, cleaning the wood can keep it in top shape. Use wood-specific cleaners or even a mild dish detergent, but avoid all-purpose cleaners, as this can damage the finish on the wood.

Treat Any Wear And Tear

No matter how much care we take with wooden furniture, scratches and general wear do happen but it’s how you deal with these that matters. Liquid polishes can hide any scratches or abrasions and have things looking good as new providing that the damage isn’t too bad. If the scratches or damage are too deep for the polish to handle, you could give the furniture a new lease of life with a coat or paint.

Oil Or Wax As Needed

Wooden furniture can get dry over time, which is where oiling comes in. All of our ottomans are treated, but you can re-oil or re-wax in the future to improve the longevity. For oiling, you’ll need to first clean the surfaces with an appropriate oil soap or cleaner, then liberally apply whichever furniture oil suits your ottoman best. For waxing, this will need to be done at intervals over the years to build up the protective coating where it may otherwise have worn down.

Keep On Top Of Stains

The longer a stain sits, particularly on wood, the harder it is to remove and it’s for this reason that it’s important to clean up any stains or spills as quickly as possible after they happen. If the spill or damage has already been done, you can look into different ways to remove particular marks, such as vinegar for dark water damage spots, and a toothpaste-baking soda blend for white rings created from a wet glass.

Wooden furniture offers a unique and undeniably stunning addition to any home and ottomans are one of the most convenient and useful furniture pieces available. Take a look at our full range of wooden blanket boxes to find the perfect one for you.

5 Ways To Style Your New Ottoman

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Robyn

Ottomans come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, and for good reason. These versatile pieces of furniture are an ideal storage solution for a bedroom, living room, dining room or frankly any room in your home you see fit and with plenty of ways to style and use them in your home, they offer endless possibilities. From using a drape or table runner to create a stylish surface, to using your ottoman as a coffee table, here are just 5 ways you can style your new ottoman.

Pick The Right Size

First thing’s first, before you even order an ottoman you need to make sure you’re getting the right size for the space you have. There are two ways of doing this – picking an ottoman that compliments that other furniture in the room, and picking one that makes it stand out as a centrepiece. Depending on your intended use, you’ll want to keep it at roughly the same height as the sofa, bed or couch, though in a bedroom in particular, a slightly shorter ottoman at the foot of the bed can still blend in well.

Use A Throw Or A Runner

If you want to make your ottoman a centrepiece or a stand-out piece of furniture in your living room or bedroom, using a table runner or a small blanket or throw can soften an otherwise hard-looking wooden ottoman, or add a unique contrast to an upholstered one. Ottomans offer a visual interest to a room as standard, but with the right accessory decoration, they can become a well-integrated storage option that enhances the decor too.

Use It As A Coffee Table

Ottomans are regularly used as coffee tables, and for good reason – having an ottoman in the centre of your living room offers a useful surface for drinks, books, remote controls or whatever you want to place on a table, but with the added benefit of storage space for everything from cushions and throws, to books, magazines and more.

Extra Seating

The right ottoman can make for the perfect additional seating in a living room for guests. Many upholstered ottomans and pouffes are cushioned enough to provide a comfortable place to sit and relax and often at the same comfort level as a couch itself, meaning you always have an extra chair available when there’s an extra person around. When things are normal and the extra seat isn’t needed, it still acts as a useful storage solution for anything you need to tuck away during your average day.

Kid’s Play Table

Whether you order a children’s blanket box or a wooden ottoman, they offer a unique play space for kids that can keep bedrooms, living rooms and any other rooms tidy. With child-friendly fabrics and wood varnishes, they can be easy to wipe off from drawing, painting or general grime and offer somewhere for toys or craft supplies to be kept when they aren’t in use without disrupting the surrounding space.

Hopefully these style ideas have helped you start your journey to finding the perfect ottoman. For more information about the ottomans available here on our website, or to find the perfect fit for your home, get in touch with a member of our team or take a look through our products, today.

Tidy Home, Tidy Mind: Why Tidiness Is Important While Working From Home

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Robyn

If you’re in the unusual situation of having to work from home under the current situation, you’d hardly be alone if you’re struggling to get into the swing of things. For those of us who aren’t used to setting up at our dining table for a full day of work, you’ve probably already fallen into the trap of taking a ‘break’ from work to tidy something, put the washing on or run the hoover round. The pressure of keeping things organised while we’re supposed to be working can build stress, anxiety and reduce productivity which is why tidiness is a must when working from home.

Our Logan Pine Ottoman Blanket Box makes for stylish storage of clutter to keep things neat and tidy around the home.

It’s Good For Your Health

Keeping things clean and tidy can do wonders for your health, not just during the work day but during everyday living too. A tidy bedroom, for example, can help you sleep better and a home office that’s kept clean will limit the potential spread of germs. Keep clutter to a minimum to limit places for dust or grime to build up by tidying away documents or supplies that you don’t need. Give your keyboard and mouse a regular clean too just to make sure that things are kept as clean as possible.

You Can Focus Better

A tidy space is a must-have if you want to be able to focus throughout the work day. With too much clutter or mess around you, it can be difficult to focus on one thing at a time. Your mind is always looking for the most important thing to focus on and it can be too easy to drift towards frankly anything that isn’t your work. Whether it’s organising paperwork, cleaning a mug, making a coffee or taking the time to tidy up, they can all distract you from the task you need to get done first. Take the time in the evening after work or at the weekends to have a complete top-to-bottom tidy of your work space and try to keep things down in the evenings or before work throughout the week to promote better focus.

Reduce Stress

Stress and fatigue are two of the biggest problems for people working from home, particularly for those who have never done it before. Working in a messy or unclean environment gives you something else to worry about on top of your existing workload and the accompanying stress of working in an unusual environment in the current situation. Clutter can also cause fatigue simply because your mind is never really at rest. Even if you’re taking a ‘break’ from work for the day, your eyes will be drawn to clutter and will be constantly working, leading to fatigue over long periods.

Increase Efficiency

There’s nothing worse than not being able to find the one thing you need to complete a task. Whether it’s a particular document or a form to fill out, or even just a pen, a messy home office can make efficient working shockingly difficult. The more organised your workspace is, the less time you’ll spend trying to find things when you need them most. With easy access to what you need and minimal distraction, efficiency and productivity have the potential to be at an all-time high.

Whether your home is in need of a good clean out or you just need to tidy things up to keep them workable, ottomans provide a useful storage solution to keep clutter down. Take a look at our range of ottomans or get in touch for advice on where to start.

What You Need To Know About Ottoman Beds Before You Buy

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Robyn

In an age where storage seems to be a common issue in homes across the world, ottoman beds have offered a multi-use solution. Ottoman beds are a type of bed that use gas-lift hydraulics to lift and hold up the base, revealing storage space underneath to hold any number of bits and pieces you may need to store. From packing away spare sheets, duvets or pillows, to using the space for clothes, books, shoes or something else entirely, the possibilities are endless. If you’ve been considering an ottoman bed or have just been looking for storage solutions for your bedroom, here’s everything you need to know ottoman beds before you buy.

*Pictured:* *Francesco Charcoal Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame*

Sizing Options

Ottoman beds typically come in the standard bed sizes available on the market, which includes singles, small doubles, full doubles, king size and super king size beds. The storage capacity will, of course, differ according to these sizes, their height and how they open, but you can expect the following storage capacity for the most common bed sizes:

Single/Twin – 15.11 Cubic Feet
Double Bed – 21.20 Cubic Feet
King Bed – 24.72 Cubic Feet
Super King Bed – 30.22 Cubic Feet

The Types Of Opening

Ottoman beds can open in one of three different ways – A side lift, end lift and half lift. The side and end lifts are the most common, offering maximum storage capacity without the need for the room for drawers. They operate as follows:

Side Lift

Side lift ottoman beds open along the side of the bed, which works well for rooms with limited space or where one side of the bed isn’t as easily accessible. They can feature different sections, usually two with one in each section of a divan base, though can also come as one large section where possible. The Franca Upholstered ottoman side-lift bed is a perfect example of a two-part side-lift ottoman, available in five different sizes and 25 different swatches to suit any bedroom design.

End Lift

End lift ottoman beds lift from the foot-end of the bed. They provide easy access to both sides of the storage and once again, can come in either single or multi-section options. The Franca Upholstered ottoman full end lift bed offers two sections for sizes above a single, and comes in four different sizing options to suit any room.

The Lage Grey Upholstered ottoman bed frame, however, is an end-lift ottoman bed that features only one section, and comes in three sizes, including small double, double and king size.

Half Lift

Half-lift ottomans are convenient for small rooms with slanted ceilings, or where you may want both drawer and under-bed storage options. This can maximise storage options in awkwardly-shaped rooms. Our Franca Upholstered Ottoman Half Lift Bed is a great compromise between an ottoman and a divan. It also comes in two sizes – double, and king size, and 20+ swatch options.

What Mattress Can I Use?

One thing you need to be aware of before buying an ottoman bed is that due to their lifting operation, you want to be careful with the weight of the mattress you choose. The majority of mattresses will be suitable for an ottoman bed frame providing that you choose the right size for the bed frame, but some may be too heavy or may make lifting difficult for you or the person using the bed. The best way to decide on the ideal mattress is to speak to the retailer to ask about weight.

Are They Safe?

One concern we hear from our customers is whether ottoman beds are safe, particularly for children. While ottoman beds are safe and always go through rigorous testing prior to being released for purchase, using an ottoman bed in a child’s room will be a case of personal choice. They can provide a great storage solution for smaller rooms and store toys, blankets or clothes, but if you are concerned about safety, you could opt for any of our other ottomans or children’s toy box ottomans instead. The Panda Upholstered Toy Box, for example, is a great seating and storage solution available in three fun colours and patterns, and two different sizes.

Ottoman beds are a great way to increase the available storage in your bedroom and with plenty of choice of sizes, designs and more, there’s no shortage on possibilities for your bedroom. For more information, feel free to get in touch, or take a look at our full range of ottoman beds, today.

Space Saving Tips For Any Living Room

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Robyn

As more and more of us opt for smaller homes to save money, finding ways to make the most of the space that you have is a must. Whether you have a small living room and are looking for ways to increase storage, or you’re simply looking for space-saving tips to keep things free of clutter, knowing how to save on space effectively can make all the difference. Maximising the space you have can be as simple as rearranging furniture or putting up some shelves and here, we’re exploring a few tips to help you get started.

Invest In An Ottoman Or Two

Call us biased, but we believe ottomans are an incredible way to save space in any room, not just a living room. Whether you use them as a seat, a footstool, a coffee table or something else entirely, ottomans offer the ability to not only store things inside but can still be used in other ways to prevent taking up any unnecessary space. Our wooden ottomans, for example, can be doubled as coffee tables, providing storage for spare cushions, magazines, newspapers or any other living room clutter you may have, while our upholstered ottomans or pouffes and stools double as spare seating options for guests.

Pictured: https://www.justottomans.co.uk/wooden/pine-ottomans/raymont-solid-pine-ottoman.html

Use Shelves

For living rooms that might lack in floor space but have plenty of room on the walls, shelving is a foolproof way of adding more storage space for living room clutter without using any floor space at all. You can display photos or ornaments, books, stereos and more. Whatever you can safely fit on a shelf can have a permanent home there to save space.

Consider Multi-Purpose Furniture

Just like our ottomans can serve multiple purposes, so can a number of other incredible furniture options. Sofas that fold out into beds can prevent the need for a guest room or trundle bed, while tray tables that detach from legs which can then be neatly folded away make for convenient and useful furniture and accessory ideas that don’t require a huge amount of space.

Mount The TV On The Wall

If you do have a flat-screen TV, have you considered mounting it on a wall in your living room? By putting the TV up in empty wall space, you can either ditch the console table and open up the floor to other furniture options, or even leave it free for a bit of extra storage room. If you do decide to get rid of a console table, you could use the space for additional seating, for storage, or a mix of both – whatever you need, the space could be available just by mounting the TV.

Use Nesting Tables

Nesting tables are a convenient way of bringing more than one coffee table into the living room when they aren’t needed all the time. Having a set of two or three tables together in one nested format offers you the opportunity to only bring out the extra furniture when it’s needed without having to find alternate storage places. If you’re having friends or family over that need somewhere to put a drink, pull out the nested tables, and then tuck them neatly back away when the time comes to clear up.

Saving space in the living room is relatively simple if you think smartly about how you want to use the room you do have. From multi-use furniture like ottomans and sofa beds, to freeing up floor space by mounting the TV on the wall, even the smallest change can make a huge difference. For more information or to take a look at our range of stylish multi-use ottomans, have a browse of the website or get in touch with our team, today.

How to Declutter Your Child’s Bedroom

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Ben Johnson

If you have small children, you’ll be well aware of just how tricky it can be to keep their bedrooms nice and tidy and free of clutter. Teddy bears, toys, books and blankets are strewn across the floor on a daily basis and you may find that you have accumulated more toys and accessories than your current storage plan can handle!

Children’s bedrooms are usually a lot smaller than other rooms in the house but are often home to the most bits and pieces. Coming up with a quick, easy solution to declutter and free up space creates a tidier environment for plenty of stress free playtime.

So how do you declutter your child’s bedroom and keep things in order without compromising on space, time or convenience? Follow these simple tips to have your child’s bedroom or playroom clear and clutter free in no time.

Child Friendly Storage

A crucial aspect of decluttering and tidying a child’s bedroom is ensuring you have good storage solutions to cope with the sheer amount of toys and books a child will accumulate.

Quite often child storage can be found in the shape of bookcases, shelving units, cupboards and other bulky fitted or standalone furniture.

There is another option though. Children’s toy boxes can be a fantastic, fun storage solution for your childs bedroom as they keep things neat, tidy and in one place. Children’s ottomans and toy boxes with lids keep toys and clutter completely out of sight. Mostly supplied in attractive designs which your child will love, they will complement your childs bedroom, creating a much more pleasant atmosphere and most importantly help make tidying up, fun! To be even more organised, you can opt for more than one and store your child’s cuddly toys in one and train sets, trucks, dolls etc in another.

Ottomans and toy boxes provide an easy way to safely store away your child’s toys for the day and are available in soft fabric finishes with cushioned tops to keep the bedroom as hazard-free as possible. Children’s ottomans needn’t look misplaced in the room either- they are available in a variety of styles and finishes so you can find one to perfectly complement the décor of the bedroom or play room. You can also find playful printed ottomans to add an extra fun element to your child’s room or opt for a traditional wooden toy box for a charming timeless look.

Ask your Child to help you Tidy

Young children tend to enjoy repetition and there are few activities more repetitive than tidying up countless toys!

Having your little boy or girl help to put their things away in their very own toy box or ottoman encourages them to tidy up after themselves, a skill which you’ll surely appreciate once they reach their teenage years.

To give the tidying up a fun angle, you can turn the decluttering into a game to keep your child interested.

Store Away

Ask yourself – does my child really need all of these toys and bits of pieces cluttering up their bedroom? The answer is probably no and that means it’s time to store away some items that your child may have lost interest in. Clothing and toys that your child has outgrown can be safely stashed away as keepsakes or kept somewhere safe.

Planning on having another baby? Store the clothing and toys somewhere other than your child’s bedroom (like your attic or closet) in preparation for your next child.

Grab a Rubbish Bag

Throwing away or donating toys can seem daunting to a child so rather than simply telling your child that some of their toys have to go, try discuss the reasons behind it, in the most child-friendly way possible of course! Some suggestions include:

Let your child know that by getting rid of some toys will leave them more space to play.
If you’re donating toys to a charity shop, explain that the toys will go to a child who will love them just as much and more importantly who may need them more.
Decide with your child which toys and bits and pieces should be donated or given away.

Your child may find it tricky to make the tough decision without a little help from you. Chances are, once you’ve decluttered and organised your child’s bedroom, they will have a renewed interest in a lot of toys and books that they may have forgotten about! Decluttering gives them a chance to rediscover some toys they may have forgotten about, resulting in hours more playtime and a bit of well deserved ‘me time’ for you.

10 Top Tips For Buying a Fabric Ottoman Blanket Box

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Ben Johnson

An Ottoman is a practical, space saving option for any bedroom or living room. As with any furniture, choosing the ideal fabric Ottoman or blanket box for your home is an important decision with many factors to consider, so we’ve created a guide with 10 top tips to help you find the ottoman perfect for you and your interior space.

Top Tip 1 – The Padding

Tip 1 - Check the padding of the fabric ottoman

Upholstered ottomans feature padded tops or lids, making them a comfortable seating option. When choosing your ottoman or blanket box, consider what you will be using it for and whether or not it will be doubling up as a seat to help you determine how much padding you would like. Many ottomans feature streamlined padded tops for a smooth contemporary look whilst a buttoned top upholstered ottoman offers traditional style with added comfort. Companies like Just Ottomans will also send you a free fabric sample too making selection easy!

Top Tip 2 – Opening Mechanism

Fabric ottoman opening mechanism There are many different types of opening mechanisms which we will discuss in a future blogs. When choosing your ottoman ensure that it has a safe opening mechanism. Hydraulic lifting mechanisms enable easy opening and closing the lid of your fabric ottoman, meaning no heavy lifting for you! Not only do hydraulics open the ottoman up with ease, they also keep the top open whilst you store or retrieve your blankets, therefore stopping it from slamming shut, reducing the risk of trapped fingers or accidents. Lift off tops on blanket boxes, have been designed for children and allow lids to be completely removed also reducing the chances of any trapped fingers or accidents.

Top Tip 3 – The Upholstery

Upholstered ottomans and blanket boxes are available in a variety of choices from fabrics such as chenille-style fabric and linens through to faux leather and suede. When deciding on your preferred upholstery, opt for a style that complements your existing décor to make your ottoman blend seamlessly with the rest of your furniture. Alternatively, opt for a contrasting style to make your ottoman stand out and make a striking statement. Whatever you decide, request a free fabric sample to ensure the fabric is to your liking before going ahead and placing your order.

Top Tip 4 – The Strength

The strength and build of your new blanket box is an important point to consider- especially if you plan on using it as bench or seat. Look for resilient base materials to ensure your ottoman has the strength to withstand prolonged or repetitive use as a seat and if in doubt, get in touch for more information.

Top Tip 5 – Size up your Space

Measure the space for your fabric blanket box Don’t make the mistake of placing an order without measuring up your bedroom or living area first (believe me, you wouldnt be the first!).

Decide on the area you want to place your new ottoman and then be sure to choose one slightly smaller than the space to ensure a good fit, whilst measuring the length of the space, then the depth and also dont forget the height.

All of our fabric blanket boxes are available with these dimensions in centimetres ensuring you can easily ensure the ottoman will fit correctly.

Top Tip 6 – Choose Complementary Colours

Choosing the correct colour is just as important as choosing the right size, material and style. Your new ottoman is going to bring style to your home, as well as practicality and convenience, so be sure to choose an ottoman finished in a colour to complement your style. Consider the colour of your walls, bed or lounge room furniture to ensure you get the perfect fit.

Top Tip 7 – Flat Pack or Ready Assembled

Flat packed furniture can be a nightmare – missing screws, complicated instructions and the need for tools you can’t find can all cause chaos when trying to assemble a flat packed item. However with ottomans and blanket boxes there aren’t too many parts and building ottomans should be a breeze. However if DIY is not your thing then choose a ottoman blanket box that comes delivered fully assembled. An assembled ottoman delivered straight to your door means you can place it in your preferred space and start using it straight away without having to spend time constructing it first.

Top Tip 8 – Have it made to Order

Have something in mind but can’t find a perfect match? Why not have your ideal ottoman made to order to your personal specifications. Choose your style, size, fabric and colour and have your perfect ottoman handcrafted just for you. Handcrafted pieces are not only bespoke to you but also exceed the quality of mass produced factory manufactured furniture, so you can be sure your new ottoman is going to be premium quality. We offer a selection of ottomans which can be made to your specification, why not contact us today to find out more.

Top Tip 9 – Delivery

When making a purchase in store or online, you’re going to want something available as soon as possible – after all, we rarely spend our money on products we can’t enjoy quickly. With this in mind, opt for a company that offers an express delivery option so you can have your new ottoman in no time.

Top Tip 10 – Buy British

Buy a British manufactured fabric blanket box Buying from local manufacturers and suppliers not only improves and maintains the British economy but also ensures your new furniture has been meticulously manufactured by qualified craftsman using only quality materials in an ethical workplace.

By following our 10 top tips for buying fabric ottomans, you’re sure to find the ideal ottoman to perfectly complement your bedroom or home. Browse the wide range in a variety of styles and sizes and discover your ideal ottoman today.