Ottomans & Footstools

Ottomans, footstools and benches that add somewhere to put your feet up, seat an extra guest and hide clutter at the same time. The range runs from 27 cm tufted footstools to 132 cm storage benches, with hidden capacities from 5 to 89 litres, plus end-of-bed benches. Every one of the 106 products publishes its height, from 24 cm to 55 cm with a median of 41 cm, which is the number that decides whether it works in front of your chair.

Ottoman and footstool types

• Storage ottomans — 5 L to 89 L capacities with hinged or removable lids.
• Reversible tray-lid footstools — flip the lid to turn a footstool into a side table.
• Tufted padded footstools — compact 27 cm to 40 cm designs in velvet and vintage finishes.
• End-of-bed benches — 100 cm and wider, in velvet with X-stitch and chenille detailing.
• Foldable ottomans — collapse flat when the extra storage is not needed.

How to choose an ottoman

Match the height to the sofa seat, not to the room — a footstool roughly level with the seat cushion is the most comfortable to use. Level, or up to 5 cm below: across the 27 chair-and-stool sets in our seating range that publish both figures, the maker puts the stool a median 4 cm under the chair seat, and our guide to whether a footstool fits your chair works through why the ones named footstool are usually the ones that miss. If storage matters more than seating, check the litre capacity rather than the outside dimensions, since padding eats into the interior. A reversible tray lid is the practical choice where the piece doubles as a coffee table. Every one of the 106 products here publishes a maximum load figure, but 65 of them give the same 120 kg whether the top is 27 cm or 132 cm across, so read it as a seating rating rather than a measurement of that particular piece — our guide to what a furniture weight limit actually means explains why.

Ottoman FAQs

What height should a footstool be?

Level with your chair's seat cushion, or up to 5 cm below it. On the median 46 cm armchair seat that means a top of 41 to 46 cm. The 22 products here titled footstool have a median height of 26 cm, which is 20 cm below that — see the footstool height guide for the full breakdown by type.

Can you sit on a storage ottoman?

In this range, yes — all 106 listings state a load figure and the lowest is 100 kg. Check the stated capacity on the product page all the same, especially for foldable designs, and note that the figure covers the closed lid rather than a raised tray.

What size ottoman fits at the end of a bed?

Aim for a bench slightly narrower than the bed — around 100 cm for a double, 120 cm or more for a king.

Are velvet ottomans hard to keep clean?

Velvet needs regular brushing but resists marks well. For high-traffic family rooms, chenille or a wipeable finish is easier.

Also browse coffee tables, side tables and armchairs & accent chairs, or read our guide to reading a furniture load rating.