A storage ottoman is one of the most versatile pieces you can add to a home. It works as a footrest, an extra seat, an occasional table with a tray on top, and a discreet place to store the things that clutter a living room. Buying one online opens up a far wider choice than most high street shops can offer, letting you compare shapes, sizes and coverings side by side from your own sofa. The key is knowing what to look for so the piece that arrives matches the one you imagined.
Shopping online also makes it easy to see how an ottoman fits within a wider scheme. You can view it alongside coordinating pieces and plan a room in one sitting. Our modern foot stools UK range brings together storage ottomans in a variety of styles, so you can find one that suits both your space and your taste.
Storage ottomans come in several forms. The classic lidded ottoman lifts at the top to reveal a compartment, ideal for throws, magazines and children’s toys. Larger ottomans double as a coffee table when topped with a tray, combining a surface with hidden storage. Slimmer, bench style ottomans suit the end of a bed or a hallway, offering a place to sit and somewhere to tuck things away.
Each type suits a different job, so start by deciding how you want to use the piece. If it is mainly for the living room, our wider modern living room furniture UK collections show how an ottoman can complement your existing seating and tables.
Size is where online shopping rewards a little care. Measure the space the ottoman will occupy, whether that is in front of a sofa, at the foot of a bed or beside an armchair. Note the height as well, particularly if you intend to use it as a footrest, because it should sit comfortably in line with your seat. A quick sketch of the room with measurements helps you compare options accurately.
Think about storage capacity too. A compact ottoman handles throws and remotes, while a larger design swallows bedding, toys or seasonal items. Being clear about what you want to store prevents the disappointment of a compartment that is smaller than you hoped.
The covering shapes both the look and the practicality of a storage ottoman. Fabric brings softness and a wide choice of colour, making it easy to match your existing scheme. Velvet adds a touch of luxury and depth, while a hard wearing weave copes well with a busy family room. Our modern fabric sofas UK sale range gives a good sense of the fabric tones you can coordinate an ottoman with.
Leather is the choice for easy maintenance, wiping clean in moments and ageing into a handsome patina. It suits homes with children or pets, where spills and marks are simply part of life. Whichever covering you prefer, check that the piece is well finished, with neat seams and a lid that closes squarely.
Read the dimensions carefully rather than relying on the photographs, since images can flatter the scale of a piece. Check the storage depth, the weight the top can support if you plan to sit on it, and the type of lid mechanism. Look for clear descriptions of the covering and the frame, and note the delivery details so you know how the piece will arrive.
Buying from an established UK retailer gives you the reassurance of dependable delivery and clear product information. We offer free UK delivery across our ranges, which makes ordering a substantial piece like an ottoman straightforward and cost effective. For a fuller storage plan, pairing an ottoman with items from our storage furniture UK range keeps an entire room tidy.
Once your ottoman arrives, position it where it earns its keep. In front of a sofa it becomes a footrest and a coffee table in one. At the foot of a bed it offers a spot to sit and store spare linen. Beside an armchair it holds a book and a cup within easy reach. A tray on top turns any ottoman into a stable surface, while the compartment below keeps the clutter out of sight.
An ottoman looks its best when it feels part of the room rather than an afterthought. The simplest approach is to echo a tone already present in your seating or rug, so the piece settles naturally into the scheme. Alternatively, a gentle contrast can lift a neutral room, with a slightly deeper shade drawing the eye without overwhelming the space. Either way, keep the palette calm so the ottoman reads as a considered addition.
Shape plays a part too. A round ottoman softens a room full of straight lines, while a square or rectangular design mirrors the geometry of a sofa and tucks neatly against it. If you are planning a fuller refresh, viewing the ottoman alongside your existing pieces helps you judge how it will sit within the finished room.
Although the living room is the classic home for a storage ottoman, the piece is just as useful elsewhere. At the foot of a bed it offers a place to sit while dressing and a home for spare linen, throws and seasonal bedding, all kept flat and out of sight. In a hallway it becomes a spot to pause and pull on shoes, with the compartment below hiding gloves, scarves and other outdoor odds and ends.
Choosing the right size for these spots is key. A slim bench style ottoman suits a narrow hallway or the end of a bed, while a fuller design suits the open floor of a living room. For a coordinated look across rooms, a matching upholstered footstool carries the same tone and adds a little more hidden storage wherever it is needed.
A storage ottoman rewards a little routine care. Vacuum a fabric or velvet finish regularly to lift dust before it settles, and wipe a leather one with a soft cloth to keep it clean and supple. Deal with spills promptly, blotting rather than rubbing, and avoid placing very hot or wet items directly on the top without a tray to protect the surface.
Take care not to overfill the compartment, since a packed base strains the lid and its hinge and makes the ottoman harder to close neatly. Keep heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top for easy access. Treated this way, and delivered free across the UK with our ranges, a storage ottoman stays comfortable, tidy and good looking for many years.
Buying furniture online rewards a little patience with the product details. Photographs can flatter the scale of a piece, so the listed dimensions are your most reliable guide. Note the height as well as the width and depth, particularly if the ottoman will double as a footrest, since it should sit roughly in line with your seat. Check the depth of the storage compartment too, so you know it will actually hold what you have in mind rather than falling short once it arrives.
Look beyond the size for clues to quality. A clear description of the covering, the frame and the lid mechanism suggests a well made piece, while vague listings are worth approaching with more caution. If you intend to sit on the ottoman, confirm the top is firm and designed to take a seated weight. Reading with this level of attention turns online shopping from a gamble into a confident choice.
Where you buy matters as much as what you buy. An established retailer offers clear product information, dependable delivery and the confidence that the piece you order is the piece that arrives. Free UK delivery across our ranges keeps the process straightforward for a substantial item like an ottoman, with no surprise costs added at the checkout. Buying this way means you can focus on choosing the right design for your room, knowing that the practical side of the purchase is handled properly from order to doorstep.
What can I store inside an ottoman? Throws, magazines, toys, bedding and seasonal items all fit well. Larger ottomans hold bulkier things such as duvets, while compact designs suit smaller odds and ends.
Can I use a storage ottoman as a coffee table? Yes. Add a firm tray on top and it becomes a stable surface for drinks and books, with hidden storage in the base.
How do I choose the right size online? Measure the space and the height you need, then compare the listed dimensions carefully rather than judging by the photographs alone.
Which covering is easiest to maintain? Leather wipes clean quickly, making it ideal for busy homes, while fabric offers warmth and a wider choice of colour with regular light care.
Is delivery included when buying online? We offer free UK delivery across our ranges, so ordering an ottoman online is straightforward and free of added transport costs.
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