I'd tend to opt for the one with a larger surface and then occasionally match it short-end to the sofa or chair for use as an impromptu chaise. That's what I did frequently with my old sofa & ottoman when I wanted to snuggle up & read a good book -or - when the pets commandeered the other end of the sofa!

Neither, necessarily! Matching is way over-rated! Just choose something you love and it'll work. Maybe think of a non-upholstered piece -- such as a leather pouf or something in metal or rattan, w/a cushion on top.

I'd probably go with an ottoman that works best with the chair !!! I like a chair and ottoman combination and I feel that it would be used more with the chair !!! I

proportionally I think ottomans go better with the chair and in the same fabric. Unless you are doing a large ottoman that will function as a table or a poof or something round then another fabric usually works best.

if I was going for one of these I would get the Jasper because it is much better looking.

i agree with mirandabee but if i had to choose between the two, i like the style of the cole better.

I think either would be fine, but if matching is keeping you up at night, why not get an ottoman in a neutral or coordinating color? I like the idea of a leather one.

I prefer to pair the ottoman with the chair... Not necessarily in terms of color, but more in terms of style and I feel the ottoman would be used more in conjunction with the chair. Both of the ottomans seem to complement and work with the sofa and the chair and I think that is a good thing !!! I agree that the don't have to be perfectly matched as if it were a set, but complement both pieces of furniture !!!

jasper, in a print to match the chair.

You know, I would love to have an opinion on this, but then I looked at the ottomans. In the end, you are the only one who will ever know the difference. Don't stress too much.

I think it's tough to say without knowing what else was going on in the room.

personally, I have an ottomon that's different than the other upholstry in the room, with a rug thrown on top because it's boring to me otherwise.

Hello everyone - I'm Valerie and thanks for your suggestions! I just wanted to clarify that the chair will be a fairly bold fabric - R&B's Mirror in green. So it isn't really a matter of the style of the ottoman, more like do I match the fabric of the chair or the sofa? I didn't think to do leather as suggested here, that sounds like a great idea!

I think you have an opportunity here to do something totally different. Get an ottoman with different legs so it doesn't look like part of a set. Then put it in leather or some other material that is different from the chair and the sofa.

I wouldn't choose either - Everything is so Same-Yawn-Same.

I'd choose a tufted leather cocktail ottoman or pair of X-base stools.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11974/index.cfm?clg=83&bnrid=3370501&cm_ven=SSP&cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=nonbrand

Yeah my vote is for leather or for matching the chair. Or just forget it altogether and get a fun little ethnic looking stool.

http://www.modernests.com

Subtly patterned fabric that incorporates shades of both but also introduces additional color?

I agree with bepsf - something tufted in leather would add contrast to the arrangement. The X base stools are nice too. Mix it up girl!

tbh i think you should consider a different ottoman. all the legs look pretty similar and a set of living room furniture that's all on legs can look strange. maybe try something that has a base that goes almost all the way down to the ground -- it will be a nice contrast.

Leather.

I also think go for something different, if it matches either piece the non-matching piece will look like an afterthought. And I agree that you should go for as different a style as possible, it will give a nice eclectic feel.

If you plan to use the ottoman with the sofa, I'd match the sofa upholstery. (I personally would prefer to match the chair and use them together, but that's me, not you.)

You can overdo the multiple finishes and surfaces in a room. I'd prefer to match the ottoman to one of the major existing ones and add different textures/colors/whatever with smaller accessories.

Alternatively, a group of 3 or 4 small cube ottomans ("ottomen??") might be an option -- then the grouping has more visual weight and might look ok even without matching.

i would get something that is neutral to the sofa and chair, something that ties them together.
too much going on otherwise.

not a fan of matching in this case. i think there are too many wooden legs that look too similar. probably a wood trunk, something in leather, or even clear like glass or acrylic.

I vote neither too, and totally agree with jK, too many wooden legs. Maybe a fully upholstered ottoman with no showing legs.

The construction, texture, and vibrancy (matte) of your choices are very close. I personally think that this can be done well but far more often ends up with the room looking a furniture store showroom grouping. If that's your bag then congratulations, if not, I would encourage you to continue your hunt....

Happy decorating

Ciao

How about an African stool or something a little bit more interesting?

neither! mix it up.