Forget traditional coffee tables — an empire of ottomans has been taking over homes in recent months, winning people over with their coziness and versatility.

Ottomans are typically low padded pieces of furniture that don’t have backs or arms. They originated in the Ottoman Empire, the area now known as Turkey, and were often seen in council meetings. Common belief has it that people would prop their feet on stools stacked with cushions, according to Architectural Digest.

Nowadays, the foot-propping practice still stands — but ottomans are proving their worth in other ways, especially if they’re oversized.

“What I love most is how adaptable they are,” interior and furniture designer Eva Sonaike told the website The Spruce. “Whether you’re styling a calm corner for reading or creating a

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