Ottomans and foot stools, also known as poufs provide a place to rest your feet while sitting in a lounge chair: In effect they turn a comfy chair into a chaise longe. Upholstered ottomans will also make comfortable little chairs themselves, and with the addition of a tray they make a more than adequate end table also. Modern ottomans come in all shapes and sizes including elegant leather ottomans, chearful foam ottoman cubes (I like the cow cube with cow hide upholstery) and of course matching ottomans that are designed specifically to go with a particular lounge chair.