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A footstool is a small, low ottoman for resting your feet. It takes little floor, is easy to move and often hides a bit of storage, so it fits a small room better than a full-size ottoman. This guide compares six footstools by the sizes on their Amazon listings, from 9.1 to 17.5 inches high, and explains how to choose the height. It also covers the leather, velvet, linen, folding and novelty animal styles we used to treat as separate pages.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| YMYNY Storage Ottoman, Small Foot Stool, 15.75″ x 11.81″ x 11.02″, Green | 15.75″ D x 11.81″ W x 11.02″ H | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| Zoes Homeware Small Storage Ottoman Foot Rest, Velvet, with Side Pocket | 16″ D x 12″ W x 12″ H; 1.64 kg (about 3.6 lb) | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| Poofzy Small Foot Stool Ottoman, Linen, with Legs | 11.6″ D x 15.4″ W x 9.25″ H; 2.73 kg (about 6 lb) | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| Small Foot Stool with Handle, Blue PU Leather, Rectangle | 11.4″ D x 15.4″ W x 9.1″ H | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| Ottoman with Storage, Folding Leather Foot Stool for Dorm, Brown | 17″ D x 13″ W x 13″ H | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| SONGMICS Vanity Stool, Round Ottoman with Storage, PVC Leather | 17.7″ D x 17.7″ W x 17.5″ H | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
We have not tested these footstools. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them in October 2026; where a listing does not say, we say so.
Quick answer
Choose the height first. About 9 inches suits a low chair or a desk, about 11 to 13 inches suits most sofas, and 17 inches or more is a stool rather than a footstool. Then check whether the listing gives a weight limit, since most of these do not in the text we read.
Six footstools compared
| Footstool | Listed size (D x W x H) | Height | What the listing adds | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMYNY Small Storage Footstool | 15.75 x 11.81 x 11.02 in | 11 in | Storage | |
| Zoes Homeware Small Storage Ottoman, Velvet | 16 x 12 x 12 in | 12 in | Side pocket; 1.64 kg | View on Amazon |
| Poofzy Small Foot Stool, Linen | 11.6 x 15.4 x 9.25 in | 9.25 in | Legs; 2.73 kg | View on Amazon |
| Small Foot Stool with Handle, PU Leather | 11.4 x 15.4 x 9.1 in | 9.1 in | Handle | View on Amazon |
| Folding Leather Foot Stool with Storage | 17 x 13 x 13 in | 13 in | Folding | View on Amazon |
| SONGMICS Vanity Stool, PVC Leather | 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.5 in | 17.5 in | Storage | View on Amazon |
Choosing the height
- For a sofa or armchair: measure the seat height from the floor. A footstool level with or a little lower than the seat is a common choice, as a design rule of thumb. Three of the six here are 11 to 13 inches high.
- Under a desk: the two 9-inch footstools are the lowest. If your problem is a desk that is too high, a footrest made for that job may fit better; see our guide to under-desk footrests.
- As a stool: only the 17.5-inch SONGMICS is close to chair height.
- Weight: the Zoes is 1.64 kg (about 3.6 pounds) and the Poofzy is 2.73 kg (about 6 pounds), so both move easily.
Materials and styles
- Velvet and linen: soft covers that suit a living room or bedroom. Light colors show marks.
- PU and PVC leather: synthetic leather-look covers. Read recent buyer feedback on how the surface wears.
- Folding stools with storage: light and easy to store, but check the stated load.
- Novelty and animal designs: furry, sheep, turtle or other shapes are playful and often meant for children; check the size and the stated weight limit.
- Colors: choose after the height, and confirm that the size is the same in each color.
The six footstools
YMYNY Storage Ottoman, Small Foot Stool, 15.75″ x 11.81″ x 11.02″, Green
A small storage footstool at about 11 inches high, in green.
- Good for: a footrest beside a chair where you also want a little hidden storage.
- Keep in mind: the storage space is small and the text we read states no weight limit.
Zoes Homeware Small Storage Ottoman Foot Rest, Velvet, with Side Pocket
A velvet footstool 12 inches high with storage and a side pocket. At 1.64 kg (about 3.6 pounds) it is the lightest here.
- Good for: a sofa or bed-side footstool you can carry with one hand.
- Keep in mind: a velvet cover shows marks; check the pocket size on the page.
Poofzy Small Foot Stool Ottoman, Linen, with Legs
A low linen footstool on legs, 9.25 inches high and 15.4 inches wide.
- Good for: a footrest under a desk or in front of a low chair.
- Keep in mind: at 9.25 inches it is too low for most sofas; measure the gap before you buy.
Small Foot Stool with Handle, Blue PU Leather, Rectangle
A low rectangle footstool in blue PU leather with a handle, 9.1 inches high.
- Good for: a footstool that gets moved often, since the handle makes it easy to carry.
- Keep in mind: PU leather is a synthetic cover, and the text we read states no weight limit.
Ottoman with Storage, Folding Leather Foot Stool for Dorm, Brown
A folding storage footstool in a brown leather-look cover, 13 inches high.
- Good for: a dorm or small room where the stool can fold flat when not in use.
- Keep in mind: a folding box is lighter than a solid frame, so check the stated load.
SONGMICS Vanity Stool, Round Ottoman with Storage, PVC Leather
A 17.7-inch round stool with storage in a PVC-leather cover, 17.5 inches high, so it is a stool as much as a footstool.
- Good for: a vanity, a dressing corner or an extra seat.
- Keep in mind: at 17.5 inches it is too tall for most footrest uses.
Choose by situation
| Situation | What to look for | From this guide |
|---|---|---|
| A footrest for a sofa | A height of about 11 to 13 inches | Zoes Homeware (12 in) |
| A desk or low chair | A height of about 9 inches | Poofzy, PU leather stool (9 in) |
| A vanity or small seat | About 17 inches high, with storage | SONGMICS vanity stool (17.5 in) |
| A dorm or small room | A folding stool that stores flat | Folding leather footstool |
| Kids or novelty | A light, soft shape; check the size and weight limit | Animal footstools |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a height that is too low or too high. A footstool about level with or slightly below your seat is a common choice, a rule of thumb.
- Assuming it holds a person. Most listings state no limit in the text we read.
- Buying a stool when you need a desk footrest. A desk problem is better solved by a footrest made for that purpose.
- Ignoring cover care. Velvet and linen show marks.
- Choosing by color first. Size and height decide the use.
A worked example
Suppose your sofa seat is 17 inches high. By listed height, the 12-inch Zoes footstool sits 5 inches below it (17 – 12), the 13-inch folding stool 4 inches below, and the 17.5-inch SONGMICS 0.5 inches above. The 9-inch stools sit 8 inches below, which suits a low chair or a desk better than a sofa.
All the footstools and small ottomans we checked (31)
Below are all 31 distinct footstools and small ottomans we gathered from our earlier single-style pages, grouped by material and style. Sizes are the listed outer sizes as the listings give them; 31 of the 31 gave a three-number size. The same product usually comes in several colors with the same size, so check the variant you want. We have not tested these products, and the listing may show more than one size or finish.
Animal and novelty footstools (4)
| Product | Listed size | Other details | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYYTLFSD Animal Ottoman Footstool, Turtle | D x W x H: 12.2 x 12.2 x 10.6 in | – | View on Amazon |
| HIGOGOGO Round Stuffed Pouf Ottoman, Pu Leather Poufs with Foam Chunk… | 20″D x 20″W x 15″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Rhino Ottoman Footstool, Grass Green | D x W x H: 13.78 x 25.59 x 14.17 in | Stated weight limit: 120 kg | View on Amazon |
| WAYUTO Animal Footstool, Furry Sheep Storage | D x W x H: 24.8 x 12.9 x 14.1 in | – | View on Amazon |
Leather and PU leather (9)
| Product | Listed size | Other details | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13in Small Round Foot Stool, Faux Leather Footrest, Black Footstool Ottoman | 13″D x 13″W x 10.2″H | material Solid wood+Sponge + faux leather | View on Amazon |
| Cmishe Ottoman Leather Footrest,Vintage Footstool,Thickened Foam Upholstered… | 16″L x 12″W x 12″H | material Oil Wax Faux Leather + Solid Wood + High-Density Sponge | View on Amazon |
| Ottoman Foot Rest, Small Leather Footstool, Vintage Living Room Ottoman,… | 14.57″D x 11.8″W x 11.8″H | material rubber wood | View on Amazon |
| Ottoman with Storage, Folding Leather Foot Stools Ottoman for Dorm, Brown | 17″D x 13″W x 13″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Small Foot Stool Ottoman, Round Pouf Foot Rest, Footstool, Faux Leather | 13″D x 13″W x 10.2″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Small Foot Stool with Handle, Blue PU Leather Short Foot Stool Rest,… | 11.4″D x 15.4″W x 9.1″H | – | View on Amazon |
| SONGMICS Vanity Stool, Round Ottoman with Storage, PVC Leather | 17.7″D x 17.7″W x 17.5″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Vintage Style Faux Leather Ottoman Footstool – Wooden Frame, Upholstered… | 12.21″D x 16.9″W x 10.2″H | material Hardwood | View on Amazon |
| Vintage Style Faux Leather Ottoman Footstool – Wooden Frame, Upholstered… | 12.21″D x 16.9″W x 10.2″H | material Hardwood | View on Amazon |
Velvet, linen and fabric (9)
| Product | Listed size | Other details | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot Stools Small, Ottomon with Handle, Velvet Footrest Ottoman | 16.54″D x 12.2″W x 9.5″H | – | View on Amazon |
| IBUYKE Small Footstool Ottoman, Linen Fabric Footrest, Gray Blue RF-BD214-D | 15.7″D x 11.02″W x 9.06″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Poofzy Small Foot Stool Ottoman, Linen Ottoman Foot Rest with Legs, Rectangle… | 11.6″D x 15.4″W x 9.25″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Pouf Ottoman, Corduroy Square Foot Stools with Filling, Navy Blue | 23.6″D x 23.6″W x 16.5″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Round Corduroy Footstool Pouf for Couch | 20″D x 20″W x 15″H | 8 pounds | View on Amazon |
| SONGMICS Foot Stool, Small Linen-Look Fabric Ottoman with Thick Cushion | 15.7″D x 12.6″W x 10.2″H | – | View on Amazon |
| SONGMICS Foot Stool, Small Velvet Ottoman with Thick Cushion | 15.7″D x 12.6″W x 10.2″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Storage Ottoman, 17″ Folding Linen Foot Stools Ottoman for Dorm, Dark Gray | 17″D x 13″W x 13″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Zoes Homeware Small Storage Ottoman Foot Rest, Velvet Ottoman with Storage… | 16″D x 12″W x 12″H | – | View on Amazon |
Pouf-style footstools (7)
| Product | Listed size | Other details | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cpintltr Foot Stool Natural Seagrass Hand Weave Poufs Round Ottoman for Couch… | 13″D x 13″W x 11″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Hansleep Round Pouf Ottoman Foot Rest, Footstool, 17 x 14 Inch, Beige | 17″D x 17″W x 14″H | – | View on Amazon |
| MeMoreCool Square Pouf Ottoman Foot Rest, 15 Inch Faux Fur Pouf, Green | 19.7″D x 14.5″W x 19.7″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Ottoman Foot Rest Round 18x18x14In, Forest Green,Footstool for Living Room | 18″D x 18″W x 14″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Round Stuffed Pouf Ottoman (Blue, 20″ D x 20″ W x 15″ H) | 20″D x 20″W x 15″H | – | View on Amazon |
| Round Stuffed Pouf Ottoman (Gray, 20″ D x 20″ W x 15″ H) | 20″D x 20″W x 15″H | – | View on Amazon |
| WSOFRLAC Round Pouf Ottoman, Gray Foot Stool Ottomans for Sofa, 20x15in | 20″D x 20″W x 15″H | – | View on Amazon |
With storage (2)
| Product | Listed size | Other details | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABHENG Steel Frame Square Ottoman with Storage Light Gray UASND641G | 17.7″D x 17.7″W x 17.7″H | – | View on Amazon |
| YMYNY Storage Ottoman,Small Foot Stool, 15.75″×11.81″×11.02″ Green,HBD042GR | 15.75″D x 11.81″W x 11.02″H | – | View on Amazon |
Frequently asked questions
How high should a footstool be?
A common choice is a height level with or a little below your seat height. The six here run from 9.1 to 17.5 inches, so measure your sofa or chair seat first.
Is a footstool the same as an ottoman?
They overlap. A footstool is usually a smaller, lower piece meant for feet, while an ottoman can be larger and double as a seat or table.
Can I use a footstool under a desk?
Yes, if the height fits. The two 9-inch footstools here are the lowest. A footrest made for desks may offer adjustable height.
Can I sit on a footstool?
Only if the listing says so. In the text we read, most of these footstools state no weight limit, so treat them as footrests unless the page says otherwise.
What is the most common footstool size?
In the 31 listings we gathered with a three-number size, 5 are about 20 x 20 inches on the first two listed sides. The height ranges from 9.1 to 19.7 inches.
Which footstool height suits a sofa seat of 17 inches?
A height level with or a little below the seat is a common choice. By listed height, the 12 and 13 inch footstools in this guide sit 5 and 4 inches below a 17-inch seat.
Related guides
- Storage ottomans: size, volume and weight rating
- Foot rest ottoman
- Small ottoman footstool
- Best under-desk footrests
- Best storage ottomans
- Ottoman furniture: types, sizes and how to choose
Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for our October 2026 guides. Product details and availability can change, so confirm size and features on the product page before you buy.
