Storage Stool: Seat, Footrest and Hidden Storage

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Choose a storage stool by what you need to hide and how much floor it can take. A storage stool is a small seat with a hollow body and a lid, so it works as a stool, a footrest, a small table and a place to hide things. The three we looked at are a foldable cube 17 in by 13 in by 13 in that says it holds 43 liters, a round nesting set whose larger piece is 14.8 in by 14.8 in by 17.3 in, and a vanity-style stool on metal legs, 12.2 in by 16 in by 18.9 in, with about 10 liters of storage.

Quick compare: the products in this guide

Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.

Product	Listed details	Link
ALASDO Storage Ottoman Footrest Stool Small Ottoman with Storage Foldable…	17 x 13 x 13 in; 43 L storage per the listing	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
Leather Storage Ottoman Round, Foot Stool with Storage for Living Room (brand…	14.8 x 14.8 x 17.3 in; set of 2	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
Sweetcrispy Vanity Stool Chair with Storage, Ottoman Faux Fur Soft Padded…	12.2 x 16 x 18.9 in; about 10 L storage per the listing	See details on Amazon Affiliate link

Why a storage stool suits a small home

In a small home, every piece of furniture should do more than one job. A stool takes up little floor, and a hollow stool adds storage without adding a cabinet. The listings we read give a range of uses: a footrest, a coffee table when the lid is flipped, a shoe-changing seat at the entry, a vanity seat, a bed footstool and a place to hide blankets, toys or cosmetics.

The other benefit is that a stool is easy to move. Most small rooms need extra seating only occasionally, and a stool can slide under a table, sit in a corner or move to another room.

Three types worth knowing

Foldable cube

The ALASDO model is 17 in long by 13 in wide by 13 in tall when it is set up. The listing says it folds to 17 in by 13 in by 2.5 in, needs no tools, and has a storage space of 43 L when assembled. It is made of MDF with a padded linen top. Because it folds, it stores in a closet or under a bed when you do not need it. The trade-off is that a folding body is a fabric-covered box, and the sides are firmer or softer depending on the design, so read how the lid and sides are built.

Round nesting set

The oakvivo model is a set of two round ottomans, a larger one and a smaller one that tucks inside it. The larger piece measures 14.8 in across and 17.3 in tall. The listing says the lid flips to give a flat tray, so the stool can serve as a small coffee table, and the smaller piece slides under a console table. A round shape has no corners to bump into, which helps in a tight walkway. We do not have the size of the smaller piece from the listing, so check it.

Vanity stool on legs

The Sweetcrispy model is 12.2 in deep, 16 in wide and 18.9 in tall, with metal legs and a plush faux fur top. The listing says it has hidden storage of about 10 L, and that the legs are adjustable in height and swivel. It is the narrowest of the three and the one best suited to a dressing table or entryway, but it holds the least.

The measurements that matter

Storage volume

Liters are a hard figure to picture. For scale, 43 L is more than four times 10 L. One listing says its 43 L space holds tools, blankets, books and sports equipment, and the other says its 10 L space suits makeup and magazines. Match the space to what you plan to store.

Footprint and seat height

Footprint tells you how much floor the stool takes, and seat height tells you how it fits with other furniture. The three have seat heights of 13 in, 17.3 in and 18.9 in. A 13 in stool is a footrest height. An 18.9 in stool is closer to a normal low seat. Look at the height you plan to use it at.

Folded size

If you need to put the stool away, the folded size matters. The ALASDO folds to 2.5 in tall. Four of them stacked flat are 4 times 2.5 in, which equals 10 in tall, so a small stack fits under a bed.

Lid and weight

Check whether the lid lifts, flips or slides, and whether it stays open. If you will sit on the stool, read the weight limit on the listing. The three listings state different limits, so we do not quote one. Read the limit on the page for your model, and check whether it is a static load or a working load.

Worked example: a narrow entryway

This is our own planning example, with the arithmetic shown. Say your entryway hall is 54 in wide (4.5 ft) from one wall to the other. You want a stool against one wall for putting on shoes, and you want a walking path next to it. The US Access Board gives 36 in as the minimum clear width of an accessible route, which we use as a yardstick for a comfortable path. All the numbers below run across the width of the hall.

• Foldable cube, 13 in deep. 54 in minus 13 in equals 41 in. That is 41 in minus 36 in, which equals 5 in above the yardstick.
• Round nesting set, 14.8 in deep. 54 in minus 14.8 in equals 39.2 in. That is 39.2 in minus 36 in, which equals 3.2 in above.
• Vanity stool, 12.2 in deep. 54 in minus 12.2 in equals 41.8 in. That is 41.8 in minus 36 in, which equals 5.8 in above.

All three leave a usable path. If the hall were only 48 in wide (4 ft), the round set would leave 48 in minus 14.8 in, which equals 33.2 in, and that is 36 in minus 33.2 in, which equals 2.8 in under the yardstick. In that hall, the round set would be tight, and a cube would leave 48 in minus 13 in, which equals 35 in, still 1 in under.

Now the storage. Say you want to hide a folded blanket and spare pillows (our estimate: about 30 L in total). The ALASDO, at 43 L, has 43 L minus 30 L, which equals 13 L spare. The Sweetcrispy, at about 10 L, is 30 L minus 10 L, which equals 20 L short, so it would hold only small items.

Finally, the vanity stool and a dressing table. Say the table top is 30 in off the floor (our estimate). The stool seat is 18.9 in high, so the gap between the seat and the tabletop is 30 in minus 18.9 in, which equals 11.1 in. Our planning range for a seat under a table is about 10 in to 12 in of gap, so 11.1 in is in range. Check it against your own table, because the listing says the legs are adjustable.

Materials and covers

The three stools use different covers. One is a linen top on MDF, one is faux leather on a wood base, and one is a faux fur top on a metal frame. Faux leather is wipeable, which helps near an entry where shoes and bags land. Faux fur feels soft but marks easily, and it is harder to spot-clean. Linen-look fabric is a middle option. For a stool that gets a lot of use, choose a cover that you can wipe.

Who should skip a storage stool

• People who need a stool with a back. A stool has no back support.
• Anyone who needs to store heavy tools. Foam and fabric sides are not built for sharp or heavy items.
• Anyone who needs the stool to sit on for hours. A small padded top is for short sitting.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ignoring the lid. Check how it opens and whether it can hit a wall or a bed.
• Judging storage by size alone. Read the liters.
• Putting wet items inside. Fabric and MDF are damaged by damp.
• Forgetting the folded size. If you plan to store the stool, check it.
• Buying a set when you wanted one. The round set has two pieces.

Keep reading

These guides cover related picks and sizing checks for a small space.

• Seat and Storage: 3 Compact Options Compared
• Best Footrest for Stool for Small Spaces
• Best Vanity Seat Stool for Small Spaces

Frequently asked questions

What is a storage stool?

It is a small stool with a hollow inside and a lid. You sit or rest your feet on the lid and keep items inside.

How much can a storage stool hold?

It depends on the model. The listings we read state 43 L for the foldable cube and about 10 L for the vanity stool.

Can a storage stool fold flat?

Some can. The ALASDO folds to 2.5 in tall, according to its listing.

Can I use a storage stool as a coffee table?

Several listings say so. The round set has a lid that flips to a flat tray. Keep drinks away from the edges of a padded top.

How high should a storage stool be?

For a footrest, around 13 in is common in our list. For a seat, the higher models at 17.3 in and 18.9 in are closer to a chair.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.

Sources checked

• US Access Board, Chapter 4: Accessible Routes

Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.

How we research our guides