A well-proportioned ottoman transforms a comfortable chair into a true place of repose. When designed correctly, it allows the body to relax fully while maintaining the elegant balance that defines a finely upholstered piece of furniture. Ottomans are typically sized in proportion to the chair they accompany. Rather than relying on fixed dimensions, the ideal size is calculated as a percentage of the chair’s own measurements. This approach ensures the ottoman feels perfectly integrated with the piece it serves.

Why proportion matters

An ottoman that is too small can feel insubstantial and visually disconnected from the chair. One that is too large risks dominating the composition or lifting the legs into an uncomfortable position.

By sizing the ottoman relative to the chair, three things are achieved:

Ergonomic comfort

The legs extend naturally without pressure behind the knees

Visual harmony

The ottoman appears intentionally paired with the chair

Balanced scale

The chair remains the principal piece in the arrangement

The ideal proportions

For most lounge and club chairs, the following ratios produce the most comfortable and aesthetically balanced result.

Height

The ottoman should sit slightly below the chair’s compressed seat height. Recommended proportion is approximately 90% below the seat height. This allows the legs to extend naturally while maintaining a relaxed posture.

Width

The width of the ottoman is best calculated from the usable seat width between the chair arms. Recommended proportion is 90% of seat width. This provides generous support for the feet while ensuring the ottoman remains visually subordinate to the chair.

Depth

Depth should allow the calves to rest comfortably without forcing the sitter too far back into the chair. Recommended proportion is 80% of seat depth. This creates a natural lounge position without restricting movement.

A small detail that enhances comfort

The spacing between chair and ottoman is equally important. A distance of 120–180 mm generally allows the legs to extend comfortably while still feeling visually connected to the chair.

Designed to suit each chair

Because every Fleming Howland chair is individually crafted, the accompanying ottoman is ideally sized to match the piece it serves. Using proportional measurements ensures the ottoman feels neither generic nor oversized, but rather a natural extension of the chair itself.