How to Choose an Ottoman That Works as Seating and Storage

One Piece, Two Jobs

Asking a single piece of furniture to do two things well is one of the easiest ways to make a UK living room feel calmer. An ottoman that genuinely works as both seating and storage saves you from buying a separate stool, chest or basket, and frees up floor space in the process. Getting it right is mostly about understanding what to check before you buy. Below is a practical guide based on what we look for at Furniture in Fashion when we add new pieces to our range.

Start With the Shape That Suits Your Room

Ottomans come in four broad shapes: square, rectangular, round and oval. Each behaves differently in a room.

Square ottomans give you the most usable seat and storage volume relative to their footprint. They suit modern rooms with strong horizontal lines.

Rectangular ottomans, sometimes sold as bench style or blanket box ottomans, sit well at the foot of a sofa or under a window. They offer the most internal storage of any shape.

Round and oval ottomans soften busy rooms and are kinder in tight layouts because they have no sharp corners. They tend to offer less storage volume for the same external size, so this is a style choice as much as a practical one.

Browse our footstools and ottomans range to see how each shape sits in different room settings.

Check the Build Quality of the Frame

An ottoman that needs to support an adult sitting on it needs a properly built frame. Look for a solid timber or plywood structure rather than chipboard, which can break down over time with repeated weight. Reinforced corners and a flat, supportive lid are signs of a piece that will last. If the lid flexes when you press the centre, it is unlikely to be comfortable to sit on.

For heavier duty storage, our blanket box collection includes pieces designed for daily lifting and frequent use.

Look at the Lid Mechanism

The lid is often what separates a good ottoman from a frustrating one. Cheaper designs use plain hinges, which means the lid can drop suddenly on fingers if you let go. Gas piston hinges hold the lid open at any angle and close it slowly. For family homes with young children, this is a meaningful safety feature, not a luxury.

Check whether the lid lifts off entirely or is hinged at the back. Lift off lids give you full access to the storage space, but they can be awkward when both your hands are full of bedding.

Think About What You Will Store

The right ottoman depends on what is going inside it. For folded throws and cushions, almost any storage ottoman will do. For bed linen, you want enough depth to fold a double duvet without compressing it badly. For children’s toys, a wider opening with a lighter lid makes life easier. For shoes in a hallway, look for ventilation and a wipeable lining.

If your needs cross several categories, dedicated storage furniture may suit you better than a single ottoman.

Match the Height to the Sofa

If the ottoman will spend most of its time in front of a sofa, height matters as much as width. As a rule of thumb, the top should sit at or just below the height of the sofa cushion. Too tall and it dominates the room. Too short and it loses its usefulness as a footrest. Bring a tape measure to the sofa cushion and check this dimension before browsing.

Choose Upholstery That Fits Your Life

Upholstery affects how the ottoman looks and how long it stays looking that way.

Velvet feels luxurious and reflects light beautifully, but it shows pet hair and can mark with spills. It suits adult homes and formal living rooms.

Linen and linen blends bring a relaxed character that suits modern UK homes. They mark with water if untreated, so look for stain resistant finishes.

Boucle and textured fabrics hide marks well but can snag on claws and rings.

Faux leather is the most forgiving for spills and easy to wipe clean. It suits busy family rooms and works well alongside our living room furniture collections.

Colour Choices That Age Well

Neutral ottomans in oatmeal, charcoal, grey and warm beige are the easiest to live with long term because they fit most colour schemes as your taste evolves. If you want a bolder choice, deep tones like forest green, navy and burgundy tend to read as classic rather than trendy and hold their place for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you really sit on a storage ottoman?
Yes, provided the frame is solid and the lid is rigid. Check the manufacturer’s weight rating before relying on it as everyday seating.

What size ottoman do I need for a small living room?
A square ottoman of about sixty by sixty centimetres usually fits comfortably in front of a two or three seater sofa without dominating the space.

Are gas piston hinges worth paying for?
Yes, particularly in homes with children. They prevent the lid from slamming shut and make one handed use much easier.

How do I clean an upholstered ottoman?
Vacuum it weekly with a soft brush attachment. For spills, blot rather than rub, and use a fabric specific cleaner suited to the upholstery type.