How to Style an Ottoman as a Coffee Table Alternative

Coffee tables are not the only way to anchor a living room. An ottoman can do the same job with a softer feel, more flexibility and a bit more comfort underfoot. In British homes where the living room often doubles as a snug, a reading corner and a play space, swapping a hard topped table for an upholstered ottoman can quietly change how the whole room works.

Why Choose an Ottoman Over a Coffee Table

An ottoman offers something a traditional table cannot. It is soft enough to rest your legs on after a long day, sturdy enough to hold a tray of drinks, and forgiving enough to handle the bumps and knocks of family life. For households with small children, the upholstered edges are far kinder than sharp wooden corners. For anyone who likes to stretch out on the sofa, it doubles as a generous footrest. If you are still weighing up the choice, our coffee table range sits alongside a wide selection of ottomans so you can compare both options.

Start With the Right Size and Shape

Scale is the first thing to get right. As a rule of thumb, an ottoman used as a coffee table should be around two thirds the length of your sofa and sit at roughly the same height as the seat cushions, or slightly lower. A rectangular ottoman suits a long three seater, while a square or round design works better with a two seater or a pair of armchairs. Allow around 40 centimetres between the ottoman and the sofa so people can move around it comfortably.

Add a Solid Tray for Everyday Use

The single most useful styling trick is a tray. A flat wooden, marble or metal tray gives you a stable surface for cups, glasses, books and remote controls without losing the soft look of the ottoman. Choose a tray that fills around a third of the surface, sits centrally, and has slightly raised edges so nothing slides off. A tray in a contrasting finish to the upholstery adds a quiet bit of structure to the arrangement.

Layer Books, Candles and a Small Plant

Once the tray is in place, it becomes a small stage. Stack two or three hardback books, then add a candle and a low plant or small vase. Keep the styling low so nothing blocks the line of sight across the room. Avoid tall, fragile pieces that get knocked over each time someone reaches for the remote. The aim is calm, useful styling that you can move aside in seconds.

Choose an Upholstery That Suits Your Sofa

An ottoman lives close to your sofa, so the two pieces need to read as a pair without being identical. A linen or cotton upholstery suits a fabric sofa in a similar tone, while a velvet ottoman adds depth to a flat weave sofa. If you have a leather sofa, a fabric ottoman softens the room and stops the leather from feeling heavy. Browse our fabric sofas or leather sofas alongside the ottomans to see what works best together.

Think About Storage

One of the quiet advantages of using an ottoman in place of a coffee table is hidden storage. A lift top design swallows up throws, board games, magazines and spare cushions. In a flat without a separate utility cupboard, this is invaluable. Look for a sturdy frame, a hinged lid that holds its position, and a lining that wipes clean. Our footstool and ottoman collection includes a range of storage designs.

Light the Surface Properly

A coffee table is often lit by a pendant or a pair of side lamps. The same applies to an ottoman. A floor lamp behind the sofa or a table lamp on a nearby side table will draw attention to your styling and make the corner feel finished. Avoid lighting the ottoman from directly above with a harsh ceiling light, which flattens the texture of the upholstery.

Keep the Flow of the Room in Mind

An ottoman is heavier visually than a glass or metal coffee table, so it can change how a small room feels. In a compact lounge, choose a lighter upholstery and a streamlined shape with visible legs so the floor remains visible underneath. In a larger space, you can lean into a chunkier, fully upholstered design that grounds the seating area. Pair it with a soft rug and a generous sofa from our living room furniture selection for a relaxed, well composed scheme.

When to Stick With a Traditional Table

An ottoman is not always the right choice. If you regularly eat meals in front of the television, write at the table or need a hard surface for hobbies, a wooden or glass coffee table will serve you better. In that case, a smaller footstool tucked beside the sofa gives you the softness without losing the practical surface.

Where to Shop

At Furniture in Fashion, our ottomans are designed to work as second seats, footrests, soft tables and quiet storage all at once. They sit comfortably alongside our wider living room ranges and arrive ready to use straight out of the box.

FAQs

Can an ottoman really replace a coffee table?

Yes, especially when paired with a sturdy tray that gives you a stable surface for cups, books and decor.

What height should the ottoman be?

Aim for an ottoman that sits at the same height as your sofa seat or slightly lower, usually around 38 to 45 centimetres.

Is an ottoman suitable for homes with children?

Yes. The soft, upholstered edges are far safer than the sharp corners of a wooden or glass coffee table.

How do I stop drinks from tipping over?

Use a flat tray with raised edges and place it centrally on the ottoman so cups and glasses sit on a stable surface.