Key Takeaways
- An ottoman is a low, upholstered, armless seat that multitasks as a footrest, coffee table, storage unit, extra seat, bedroom accent, and reading nook.
- Match ottoman height to sofa or chair height for comfort, and follow the ⅔-length rule when using one as a coffee table.
- Storage ottomans are ideal for families — perfect for tucking away blankets, toys, and remotes.
- Styling with a tray instantly transforms an ottoman into an organized, functional surface.
Browse Aoodor Shop's full patio furniture collection for versatile indoor and outdoor ottoman options.
Introduction
You've just come home after a long day. Your feet ache, the living room feels like it's missing something, and the coffee table is too far away to feel cozy. Sound familiar? That one missing piece — for millions of American families — turns out to be an ottoman.
An ottoman is a low, upholstered, armless and backless piece of furniture that quietly does more than almost anything else in the room. So, what is an ottoman used for? More than most people realize.
It's a footrest on Monday, a coffee table on Tuesday, extra seating for Friday's backyard hangout, and a hidden storage drawer all week long. Whether you're furnishing a living room from scratch or refreshing your back patio, an ottoman is one of the smartest additions you can make.
The 6 Main Uses of an Ottoman
Ottomans solve everyday problems. Here are the six most practical ways families across the U.S. use one — and how to get the most out of each.
1. As a Footrest
The most intuitive use of an ottoman is exactly what it looks like: a place to prop your feet up. After a long day at work or a weekend of yard projects, pairing an ottoman with a lounge chair or sofa creates an instant comfort zone — a reading nook, a TV-watching spot, a place to simply breathe.
Buying tip: Match your ottoman's height to the seat height of your chair or sofa for the most ergonomic position. For fabric, look for easy-clean performance blends or linen if you have kids or pets. And don't stress about a perfect color match — upholstery that complements rather than mirrors your chair often looks more intentional.
2. As a Coffee Table
Swapping out a traditional coffee table for an ottoman gives any living room a softer, more relaxed feel — especially in family spaces where sharp corners aren't welcome.
Sizing rule to live by: Your ottoman should be roughly two-thirds the length of your sofa. Too small and it looks lost; too large and it crowds the room.
The key to making it work as a surface? A large tray placed in the center. Style it with a stack of books, a candle, a small plant, or a decorative object. The tray keeps things organized, acts as a serving surface when you have guests, and is easy to move when the ottoman needs to pull double duty as seating.
One important note: if your ottoman has a softer cushion, choose a tray with grippy feet or a flat base to prevent tipping.
3. As Extra Sating
Ottomans sit at roughly the same height as most living room chairs, which makes them natural conversation seats when guests arrive. They're lightweight, easy to reposition, and far less obtrusive than dragging dining chairs into the living room.
For families who also entertain outdoors, wicker or rattan ottomans offer the flexibility to move seamlessly from inside to the backyard patio — perfect for summer gatherings.
Pro tip: An ottoman also makes a surprisingly comfortable pet bed. Giving your dog or cat their own upholstered spot keeps them off the sofa without making them feel left out.
4. As a Storage Solution
This is where ottomans truly earn their place in a family home. Many models feature a hinged lid that opens to reveal a roomy cavity inside — ideal for storing blankets, throw pillows, remote controls, kids' toys, books, or even shoes.
It's a clutter problem solved without sacrificing style. The living room stays looking tidy while everything you actually need remains close at hand.
Space-saving tip: When your ottoman isn't in regular use, slide it under a bar table or console. It reclaims floor space and keeps the room from feeling crowded.
Buying tip: If storage is a priority, look for models with a firm, flat lid — so the ottoman can still function as a surface or seat even when it's fully packed inside.
5. At the End of the Bed
Long, rectangular upholstered ottomans have been a bedroom staple for a reason. Positioned at the foot of the bed, they serve as a comfortable spot to sit while getting dressed or putting on shoes — a small luxury that becomes an everyday habit fast.
Beyond comfort, a bedroom ottoman offers extra storage for folded linens, out-of-season clothes, or items that don't have a permanent home.
Style tip: Match the ottoman's upholstery to your existing bedding, throw pillows, or window treatments. This creates a cohesive, finished look without a full room renovation.
6. As a Reading Nook or Lounge Spot
No room for a chaise lounge? Place an ottoman at one end of your sofa and you've created a half-lying lounge position that's just as comfortable — and far more flexible.
Style the area with a small coffee tray and a stack of books, and it becomes a dedicated reading corner in a matter of minutes. Unlike a fixed sectional unit, the ottoman can be moved across the room entirely when you need the space for something else — giving your layout the kind of flexibility a growing family genuinely needs.
How to Choose the Right Ottoman for Your Space
Before buying, take a moment to think about how — and where — you'll use it most. Here are four factors worth considering:
- Size: Use the two-thirds rule for coffee table ottomans relative to your sofa length. Smaller poufs work better as footrests or accent pieces in tighter spaces.
- Style and type: Tufted ottomans bring a classic sophistication that works in both casual and formal rooms. Leather and faux leather are durable and timeless. Bouclé and velvet are trend-forward but may require more care.
- Functionality: Do you need storage? A firm surface for a tray? Indoor-outdoor flexibility? Prioritize these before aesthetics.
- Fabric: Performance blends and faux leather are the practical choice for families with kids or pets. Linen offers a lighter, classic look for lower-traffic areas.
One piece of honest advice: classic shapes and neutral fabrics — leather, tufted, linen — are long-term investments. Trendy silhouettes date faster than fabric choices, so when in doubt, keep the form simple and let your accessories do the talking.
Browse Aoodor Shop's chair ottoman collection to find the right fit for your space.
Styling Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Ottoman
Once you've picked the right ottoman, how you style it makes all the difference.
- Use a tray. It's the single most effective styling tool for an ottoman. A tray defines the surface, keeps objects organized, and is easy to remove when the ottoman needs to function as a seat or footrest. Style it with candles, a small plant, a decorative object, and a book or two.
- Layer textures. A leather or faux-leather ottoman pairs beautifully with a woven throw draped nearby or a textured pillow on the sofa. It adds warmth and depth without visual clutter.
- Use it as a color accent. Your ottoman doesn't have to match the sofa. A bold fabric or contrasting hue is one of the lowest-commitment ways to introduce a new color palette into a room — and much cheaper than repainting.
- Coordinate with pillow covers. If you already own an ottoman, update the throw pillow covers on your sofa to pull the colors together. It creates a cohesive look without replacing a single piece of furniture.
For more inspiration on how to bring a living room together, resources like Homes & Gardens offer excellent room-by-room styling guides from interior design experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool? Both are low, backless pieces, but an ottoman is typically larger, more upholstered, and designed to serve multiple functions — seating, storage, and surfaces included. A footstool is usually smaller and intended primarily for foot support. For a deeper look, check out Aoodor Shop's guide on ottoman vs. footstool — the ultimate guide for American families.
Can I use an ottoman outside? Yes — if you choose the right material. Wicker, rattan, and weather-resistant performance fabrics are designed for outdoor use. Aoodor Shop's patio furniture collection includes options built specifically for backyard and patio settings.
How do I choose between a storage and non-storage ottoman? If clutter is a constant challenge — especially in family homes — a storage ottoman almost always adds more value. Non-storage ottomans tend to have softer, more sculpted profiles and work better in formal or low-traffic spaces.
What size ottoman should I get? For use as a coffee table, aim for roughly two-thirds the length of your sofa. For a footrest, height is more important than length — it should sit level with or just below your seat height. For bedrooms, a rectangular bench-style ottoman around 18–24 inches tall works well at the foot of most standard beds.
Conclusion
An ottoman is one of the most versatile — and underrated — pieces of furniture in any home. It functions as a footrest, coffee table, extra seat, storage solution, bedroom accent, and cozy reading nook, often all in the same week. Whether you're styling a living room from scratch or filling that one missing piece, the right ottoman does more work than almost anything else its size.
Now that you know what ottomans are used for, the only question left is — which one is right for your space?
Explore Aoodor Shop's ottoman collection and find the perfect fit for your home and backyard today.
