Footstool and Storage: Small Ottoman Buying Guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Affiliate link” may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

A footstool with storage needs an inside measurement check before you buy. The three listings are 10.6 to 13 in high, and only one gives an inside volume: 43 L for the 17 x 13 x 13 in box. Two folded throws use about 27 percent of that 43 L box, so light-duty storage suits throws, remotes and magazines. For a sofa, aim for a seat height of 12 in to 17 in. For more storage picks, see our foot stools with storage guide.

What a footstool with storage is good for

In a small living room, every piece of furniture needs to do two jobs. A footstool with storage does three: it holds your feet, it takes a spare seat when guests arrive, and it hides blankets, game controllers or pet leashes inside.

The trade-off is size. The hollow body means walls and a lid, so the usable space inside is smaller than the outside size suggests.

Check these measurements first

Seat height against your sofa

A footrest works when it is about the height of the sofa seat or a little lower. Measure your sofa seat from the floor to the top of the cushion. Our planning range is a footstool height of 12 in to 17 in for typical sofa seats, and a lower one (10 in to 12 in) for a low-profile sofa or a gaming chair. The three listings we read are 10.6 in, 12.8 in and 13 in high.

Footprint against the walkway

A footstool sits in the path between the sofa and the coffee table. The US Access Board uses 36 in as a minimum clear width for an accessible route, and we use that only as a yardstick. If the gap between sofa and table is 30 in and the footstool is 13 in deep, you have 17 in left to walk through, which is tight. In a small room, pick a footstool that tucks beside or under the table, or one that folds flat.

Inside volume

Sellers often give the outside dimensions only. One of the three listings states 43 L of storage space for a 17 x 13 x 13 in box. Using a conversion of 1 L = 61.02 cubic inches, that is about 2,624 cubic inches. The outside volume is 17 x 13 x 13 = 2,873 cubic inches, so the inside is about 91 percent of the outside, which looks generous for a foam-topped box. We treat the 43 L as the seller’s figure and not a tested number.

Worked example: will a throw blanket fit?

This is our own arithmetic for planning. Say you want to store two fleece throws. Each folds to about 12 x 10 x 3 in, which is 360 cubic inches. Two throws are 720 cubic inches.

• Box with the seller’s 43 L figure. 43 L x 61.02 = about 2,624 cubic inches. 720 / 2,624 = 27 percent full.
• A 13 in round stool with a thick seat. Say the inside is a cylinder 10 in wide and 5 in tall, because the seat pad and base use space. Volume = 3.14 x 5 x 5 x 5 = about 393 cubic inches. Two throws (720) will not fit. One throw (360) just fits.
• A 15.7 x 11.4 x 12.8 in rectangle. If walls and lid take 1 in on each side and 2 in off the height, inside is about 13.7 x 9.4 x 10.8 in = about 1,391 cubic inches. Two throws (720) take about 52 percent.

The lesson: a rectangular box stores far more than a round stool of the same height. If storage matters more than looks, choose rectangular.

Foldable, rigid or soft

Foldable box

The first listing folds flat to 17 x 13 x 2.5 in and needs no tools. This suits rented rooms and storage in a cupboard when not in use. The listing says the frame is MDF and states a 400 lb limit. Folding boxes have a hinge line along the walls, so check that the lid sits flat and the corners look reinforced.

Solid wood legs and a lift-off lid

The round teddy-velvet stool has a wood frame with solid pine legs, an anti-skid base and a 300 lb limit stated by the seller. Legs lift the body off the floor, which makes it easy to vacuum under, but the storage is smaller than a legless box.

Linen with a side-table lid

The beige linen rectangle has a removable lid that the seller says doubles as a small side table. Remove the lid and the tray stays flat, which is handy for a remote and a mug. Check that the lid has a non-slip underside.

Our three picks

We read the listings for these three. We did not test them.

Foldable linen storage ottoman, 17 x 13 x 13 in

Listed in grey linen on an MDF frame, with a 13 in seat height, a 400 lb limit, a 4.8 lb weight and a 43 L storage figure. It folds to 2.5 in thick, which is the best feature for a small flat.

Round teddy velvet stool, 13 x 13 x 10.6 in

A cream-coloured stool with a wood frame and a soft, textured top. It weighs 8 lb and the seller says it holds 300 lb. The 10.6 in height suits low sofas and gaming chairs, but it sits low for a standard sofa. Teddy fabric catches pet hair, so keep a lint roller handy.

Small linen rectangle, 15.7 x 11.4 x 12.8 in

A beige linen footstool on wooden legs with a removable lid, anti-slip pads, and a stated 12.8 in seat height. It falls between the other two in size, and assembles in under 5 minutes according to the listing, and suits an entryway or a bedside spot as well as the sofa.

How to set one up in a small living room

Placement decides whether a footstool feels useful or in the way. Put it on the side of the sofa nearest the door or the walkway only if it can be pushed against the wall when guests come. In a room with a coffee table, a footstool of 13 in to 17 in width can tuck under the table edge when you are not using it, as long as the table clearance is above the stool height. Measure from the floor to the underside of the table apron; our planning rule is to leave at least 1 in spare so the lid does not scrape.

If the stool also holds a throw blanket, keep the throw folded in a flat stack rather than stuffed in, because a stuffed lid will not close and the cushion wears at the hinge. A small tray on top turns the stool into a side table, but check the lid is firm enough to take a mug without tilting. Cushioned lids dip under a point load, so use a flat tray with a rim.

For pets, a lid that lifts off completely is easier to clean than a hinged one. Cat and dog hair collects in the seam where fabric meets frame, so run a lint roller along it weekly.

Who should buy a small storage ottoman

• Renters in small flats, because one piece replaces a footstool and a storage basket.
• Families with pets or children, because soft toys and leashes can go out of sight.
• People who like to rotate seating, since a lightweight box moves easily between rooms.

Who should skip it

• Anyone who needs to store heavy items. These are light-duty boxes made of MDF, foam and fabric.
• Tall people who want a footrest at sofa-seat height. A 10.6 in stool may sit too low.
• Households with large dogs that chew fabric. Linen and teddy velvet both snag.

Common mistakes

• Judging storage by outside size. Subtract walls and the lid cushion.
• Ignoring the lid weight. A heavy lid is awkward to lift with a drink on top. Use a tray.
• Putting liquid containers inside. Fabric-lined boxes are not waterproof.
• Sitting on a folding box without checking the limit. Read the stated limit and sit in the centre.
• Skipping floor pads. Felt pads stop scratches on hard floors.

Frequently asked questions

How high should a footstool be?

For a sofa, about the height of the seat cushion or a few inches lower: 12 in to 17 in suits most sofas. Measure your sofa seat before choosing.

How much can a small storage ottoman hold?

It depends on the inside volume, and sellers rarely list it. One listing we read states 43 L. As a rule, assume the inside is 10 to 30 percent smaller than the outside suggests.

Can I sit on a storage ottoman?

Most are designed to take a sitting adult, and the listings we read state limits of 300 lb and 400 lb. Sit in the centre and use one at a time.

Are foldable storage ottomans sturdy?

They are fine for light seating and footrest use. The stated 400 lb limit on a foldable model is the seller’s figure, and the hinge lines are the part to inspect.

What fabric is easiest to keep clean?

Tightly woven linen-look fabric wipes clean more easily than teddy velvet, which holds pet hair and marks.

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