Footstools work well with dining tables because they add flexible seating, soften hard furniture and tuck neatly away when they are not needed. The five most effective ways to style them are as extra seats at the end of the table, alongside a bench, in a window or banquette corner, as a movable side surface, and as tucked away seating beneath a sideboard or console. Each brings comfort and a relaxed, layered feel without adding bulk.
The idea may sound unusual at first, since footstools are more commonly found in living rooms. But as dining rooms become more sociable and multipurpose, the humble footstool has become a useful, characterful addition. Here is how to make it work.
Dining rooms often need to flex. A table that seats four most of the week might need to seat seven on Sunday. Chairs take up space when they are not in use, while a footstool can slide under the table, sit against a wall or move to the living room when not needed.
Footstools also bring softness to a room that is often dominated by hard surfaces: wooden tables, tiled or wooden floors, glass and metal. A rounded, upholstered stool in velvet or bouclé adds texture and colour, and it can tie the dining area to the rest of an open plan space.
The simplest approach is to place one or two footstools at the ends of the table, or keep a pair nearby to pull in when guests arrive. They work especially well for children, who often prefer perching to sitting upright in a full chair, and for relaxed gatherings where people come and go.
Height is the key consideration. For comfortable seating at a standard 75cm dining table, a footstool should be around 45cm to 48cm high, similar to a dining chair seat. Lower stools, around 40cm, suit children or informal perching but can feel low for adults during a long meal.
Round stools fit neatly at the curved end of an oval or round table, while square and rectangular stools suit rectangular tables. Our modern footstools UK include round, square and cube designs in a range of heights and fabrics.
A bench along one side of the table is a relaxed, space saving choice, and footstools make a natural partner. Placing a footstool at one or both ends of the bench extends the seating in a soft, informal way and balances the long, straight line of the bench.
For a cohesive look, choose footstools that echo the bench in colour or material. An upholstered bench in oatmeal linen pairs well with footstools in the same fabric, while a wooden bench suits leather or wool upholstered stools that bring contrast. Our dining benches UK sale include upholstered and wooden designs that sit well alongside footstools.
This arrangement works particularly well in kitchen diners, where the bench can sit against a wall or island and footstools can be moved around as needed.
A dining table tucked into a bay window or corner banquette feels cosy and intimate. Footstools help complete the arrangement on the open sides, where full chairs might feel too bulky or block the view across the room.
In a bay window, a round table with built in or freestanding window seating on the curved side and two footstools on the room side creates a café style spot for breakfasts and quiet dinners. In a corner, an L shaped banquette with footstools on the open sides gives you generous seating in a small footprint.
Keep the footstools low profile and upholstered in a fabric that complements the banquette cushions. Patterned or textured fabrics add interest without competing with the view.
A firm, flat topped footstool can double as a side table in the dining area. Add a large wooden or metal tray and it becomes a useful surface for a jug of water, a stack of plates or a bottle of wine during meals, freeing up space on the table.
This works especially well in smaller dining rooms where a sideboard would take too much space, and in open plan homes where the dining area flows into the living room. Between meals, the footstool with its tray can hold books, a plant or a lamp, and it can move easily wherever it is needed.
Choose a stool with a firm top, such as a structured leather or tightly upholstered design, so the tray sits securely. Softer, buttoned tops are better kept for seating.
If you want extra seating ready without cluttering the floor, store footstools beneath a sideboard, console table or open shelf in the dining room. A pair of low stools sitting under a raised sideboard looks neat and deliberate, and they can be pulled out in seconds when guests arrive.
Measure the clearance beneath the furniture first. You need a few centimetres of space above the stool so it slides in and out easily. Matching or complementary fabrics help the stools look like part of the design rather than something put away.
This approach also works in hallways that lead into dining rooms, where a console and footstools provide both seating for putting on shoes and extra dining seats when needed.
Dining rooms are practical spaces, so choose upholstery that handles spills and frequent use.
Footstools are an easy way to introduce an accent colour or pattern to a dining room. If your table and chairs are neutral, a pair of footstools in deep green, rust or navy adds personality. If your chairs are already colourful, choose footstools in a neutral that picks up the tone of the table or rug.
Think about the rug too. A footstool placed on a rug beneath the table feels anchored, while one on bare boards reads more as occasional furniture. Our modern rugs UK sale include textures and colours that help tie footstools, chairs and table together.
Footstools should feel in proportion with the table and chairs around them. Large, chunky ottomans can overwhelm a slim, modern dining set, while tiny stools can look lost beside a substantial farmhouse table. As a rough guide, a footstool around the width of a dining chair seat, 40cm to 50cm, sits comfortably at most tables.
Small details help footstools look intentional rather than borrowed from the living room. Legs are one of the most noticeable. Tapered wooden legs suit Scandinavian and midcentury dining sets, slim metal legs in black or brass sharpen a contemporary look, and skirted or plinth bases give a softer, traditional feel. Matching the leg finish to the table or chairs is an easy way to create a connected set.
Pairs and groups tend to look more considered than a single stool. Two matching footstools at the end of a table, or three in graduated sizes by a window seat, create a sense of rhythm. If you prefer a collected look, vary the fabric but keep the shape consistent, or keep the fabric the same and vary the shape.
Piping, buttoning and stitched details add craftsmanship, while a plain, tightly upholstered top suits minimal rooms. Consider how the footstool looks from above, too, since it will often be seen from a standing height as people move around the table.
Because they sit close to the action, dining room footstools benefit from a simple care routine. Vacuum upholstered stools regularly with a soft brush attachment to lift crumbs. Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth rather than rubbing. Wipe leather with a slightly damp cloth and condition it occasionally. Rotate stools between positions now and then so wear and sunlight are spread evenly.
At Furniture in Fashion, we love the way footstools bring comfort, colour and flexibility to dining rooms. Whether you use them for extra seats, as a partner for a bench or as a movable side surface, they make the dining area feel more relaxed and more lived in, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Around 45cm to 48cm suits adults at a standard 75cm table. Lower stools, around 40cm, are better for children or occasional perching.
They work well as extra seating, but most people prefer chairs with backs for long meals. A mix of chairs and footstools is often the most comfortable arrangement.
Performance velvet, leather and faux leather are easy to clean. Washable linen covers are a good option in family homes.
They do not need to match exactly. Echoing a colour or material from the chairs, bench or rug keeps the look cohesive.
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