Ottomans tend to be thought of as a soft alternative to the coffee table, often paired with a tray and a stack of books. That is one role, but it barely scratches the surface of what they can do in a real British living room. Here are nine ways to use an ottoman that we see working brilliantly in homes across the country, drawn from years of helping customers at Furniture in Fashion choose pieces that earn their place.
When the family visits at Christmas or friends drop by unexpectedly, an ottoman is the easiest way to add seating without permanently committing the floor space to another armchair. Choose one with a firm padded top rather than a soft cushioned lid so it sits comfortably under an adult. Our footstools and ottomans range includes several styles suited to this dual purpose.
Throws, magazines, remote controls, gaming controllers and children’s books all accumulate in the living room. A storage ottoman gives them a single home with the lid closed. Place it within reach of the sofa for everyday tidying. This is one of the most practical pieces of storage furniture you can add to a busy room.
If you have a bay window or a wide sill, a long narrow ottoman placed underneath creates an instant window seat. Add two scatter cushions and a folded throw, and you have a quiet reading spot. It works particularly well in Victorian and Edwardian terraces where the bay window is one of the strongest features of the room.
Rather than buying a side table, position an ottoman next to the sofa and top it with a sturdy tray. The tray turns it into a stable surface for a glass of wine, a cup of tea or a takeaway. When you need an extra seat or somewhere to rest your feet, simply lift the tray off. This kind of flexibility is hard to get from any single piece in our living room furniture range.
In smaller rooms, a coffee table can feel like a barrier in the middle of the floor. A large square ottoman softens the centre of the room while keeping the same function. Children are less likely to bump their heads on it, and a tray on top stops drinks from tipping. If you would rather keep the traditional look, our range of coffee tables still has plenty of options worth comparing.
Dogs and cats love a low padded surface, and an ottoman fits the bill without sacrificing an entire armchair to fur. A washable cover or a draped throw protects the fabric. Place it near a window so your pet can keep an eye on the world outside while you keep the sofa to yourself.
Not every sofa comes with a matching chaise or footrest. A standalone ottoman sized to your sofa height bridges that gap. Aim for an ottoman top that sits a couple of centimetres lower than the sofa cushion for the most comfortable angle. Upholster it in the same or a complementary fabric to keep the room cohesive.
Although this article focuses on living rooms, it is worth mentioning that the same long ottoman that works under a bay window also doubles as a bench at the foot of a king size bed. Useful when you redecorate and want to move pieces around the home. It can hold folded blankets, a robe or a suitcase laid open for packing.
In an open plan kitchen and lounge, a large round ottoman in a strong colour can anchor the seating area visually. It tells the eye where the lounge ends and the kitchen begins without the need for screens or rugs alone. Think mustard, deep teal, plum or burnt orange depending on the rest of the palette.
Shape and size matter more than style with ottomans. Square and rectangular ottomans give you the most usable surface area and tuck neatly against walls or in front of sofas. Round ottomans soften the centre of a room and are kinder in tight layouts where corners get in the way. As a general rule, the ottoman should sit at or slightly below sofa cushion height and take up no more than two thirds of the sofa width.
Upholstery should match how the room is used. Velvet looks beautiful but shows pet hair. Linen blends feel inviting but mark more easily. Boucle is on trend but can snag. Tightly woven fabrics in mid tones suit family homes best, while bolder colours work in adult only households where wear is gentler. Pair the ottoman with a quality blanket box in another corner if you need additional storage capacity.
What is the difference between a footstool and an ottoman?
The two terms overlap, but ottomans tend to be larger and often include storage, while footstools are typically smaller and made primarily for resting feet.
Can an ottoman replace a coffee table completely?
Yes, paired with a tray it works as a coffee table and adds seating, storage or a footrest depending on the moment.
How big should an ottoman be in relation to the sofa?
Aim for between half and two thirds of the sofa width, with the top sitting at or just below cushion height.
Are storage ottomans hard wearing?
Quality designs with reinforced hinges and a solid timber frame last for years. Check the maximum lid weight if you plan to sit on it regularly.
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