Audo Copenhagen Oda Ottoman

The Audo Copenhagen Oda Ottoman was designed to pair with Arnold Madsen's iconic Oda Lounge Chair, but it works surprisingly well as a standalone piece too - which says something about how thoughtfully Madsen approached even the supporting elements of his furniture collections. Created in the mid-1950s alongside the chair, this ottoman carries the same embracing, sculptural form that defined Madsen's experimental approach to furniture design. The curved shape mirrors the horseshoe construction of the Oda Chair, creating visual continuity when used together while still having enough presence to function independently as extra seating or a footrest in any room. What's interesting is how the ottoman was reconstructed from a vintage model since no original drawings survived - Audo Copenhagen essentially had to reverse-engineer an existing piece to maintain the design integrity, which required exceptional craftsmanship to get the proportions and comfort level right.

The construction quality becomes obvious when you look at how the intricate upholstery work comes together. Inside, there's cold foam, quilt foam, linen, and layered materials that create this supportive surface that doesn't flatten out or lose shape after months of daily use like cheaper ottomans tend to do. The dimensions at 46cm wide, 40cm deep, and 36cm high create this ideal footrest height that works whether you're sitting in the Oda Chair or using it with other seating - not too low where your knees feel awkward, not too high where your legs don't rest naturally. You can choose between natural oak or walnut for the legs, both with oil finishes that protect the wood while letting the grain show through beautifully. The upholstery options match what's available for the Oda Chair, so you can coordinate them perfectly or mix materials for visual interest. The steel frame inside provides stability despite the ottoman's relatively compact size, and the solid beech and plywood construction ensures it can handle being used as occasional extra seating without wobbling or feeling flimsy.

Audo Copenhagen brings this ottoman back into production as part of their effort to rescue significant pieces from Arnold Madsen's portfolio that deserve recognition beyond just the Oda Chair itself. Madsen represents one of those fascinating figures from Danish Modern design who came to furniture through an unconventional path - working as a sailor and cowboy in Canada before returning to Denmark and training as an upholsterer. He never studied architecture or formal furniture design, yet his experimental work with round forms and meticulous upholstery techniques created pieces that were visually light yet stable and incredibly comfortable. His focus was always on how furniture actually felt to use rather than just how it looked in showrooms. Audo Copenhagen honors that philosophy by maintaining the construction standards and craftsmanship that made Madsen's work special, ensuring the Oda Ottoman delivers the same thoughtful comfort today that complemented the revolutionary Oda Chair design when it first appeared in the 1950s.