An ottoman is a piece of furniture that truly punches above its weight, yet it is often purely seen as “the thing you put your feet on.” An ottoman can be a footstool, a coffee table, extra seating for guests, and a hidden storage chest, often all at once.
If you are trying to make a smaller Australian home work harder, or simply want a piece that pulls a lounge room together, understanding what an ottoman actually is will help you choose the right one.
Ottomans are a modern staple of furniture, and their true flexibility lies in the exact style you choose. In this House2Home blog, we will break down exactly what an ottoman is, the different types of ottomans available, how to choose the right ottoman for you, and where to put an ottoman in your home.
What Is An Ottoman?
Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, an Ottoman is a flexible, modular piece of furniture that can be used in multiple ways throughout a home. An Ottoman typically has no back or arms, and is mostly padded and covered in fabric, leather, or a woven material. They sit on short legs or with a solid base.
Modern ottomans keep the same core appeal: a piece of furniture that’s comfortable, casual, and endlessly flexible.
The key to an ottoman is that it’s designed to move. An ottoman is not a rigid, fixed piece of furniture. Whatever your home needs, an ottoman can often meet the requirement.
Types Of Ottomans
Not all ottomans are the same or serve the same purpose. Knowing the main types on the market makes it much easier to pick one that fits your space and lifestyle.
Storage Ottomans
Ottoman furniture storage is one of the furniture’s biggest perks. A storage ottoman has a lift-off or hinged top and a hollow base. This type of ottoman doubles as a chest and is a practical choice for busy households and smaller spaces.
Coffee Table (Cocktail) Ottomans
Larger and flatter, these are made to sit in the middle of a lounge setting in place of a coffee table. Style one with a tray, some books, and a candle, and it becomes a centrepiece rather than an afterthought.
Footstools and Pouffes
These ottomans are smaller and lighter. Footstools and pouffes are easy to move around and ideal for small rooms, reading nooks or a child’s bedroom. Woven and rattan pouffes bring a relaxed, coastal feel that suits many Australian interiors.
Ottoman Beds
At the larger end, an ottoman bed lifts on a gas-strut mechanism to reveal deep storage beneath the mattress, reclaiming space that would otherwise be wasted.
What Is An Ottoman Used For?
Storage is a feature that has made ottomans a staple of modern home furniture. Ottoman furniture storage solves a problem almost every household has. What is that problem? Too much stuff and not enough places to put it. An ottoman provides additional storage without adding another bulky cabinet.
An ottoman provides hidden storage by working within an existing floor plan.
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Throw rugs, blankets, and cushions in the lounge room
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Toys and games that need to disappear before guests arrive
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Spare linen and pillows in the bedroom or guest room
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Magazines, remotes, chargers, and everyday clutter
For smaller homes, such as apartments or large open-plan living spaces, ottomans provide not only style but also real value. One piece provides a footrest, an occasional seat, and a storage chest, so fewer items compete for floor space. If you need a more visible display alongside the concealed storage, pair an ottoman with bookcases, storage, and display units so everyday items stay tidy and out of sight.
How To Choose The Right Ottoman
When choosing the right Ottoman for you, it comes down to a few practical considerations.
Size And Scale
Measure your space first. As a rough guide, an ottoman used alongside a sofa should sit at a height close to the seat cushions so it functions comfortably as a footrest. Leave enough clearance to walk around it.
Function
Be honest about what you need. Are you chasing storage? Prioritise a lift-top style. Wanting to replace a coffee table? Go wider and flatter. Just looking for a footrest? A compact pouffe will do.
Material
Fabric feels soft and inviting, but shows wear sooner; leather and vinyl wipe clean and suit homes with kids or pets; woven and rattan options add texture and a coastal, breathable look.
Colour
A neutral ottoman blends into almost any scheme and is the safer long-term choice. A bolder colour makes a stronger statement but ties you to a palette.
Where To Put An Ottoman In Your Home?
Once you have chosen your ottoman, styling it well is what makes the room feel finished.
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In The Lounge Room
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Create a coffee-table ottoman in front of the sofa with a decorative tray to keep drinks and books stable.
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In The Bedroom
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Place one at the foot of the bed as a spot to sit while dressing, and store spare bedding inside. Browse bedroom furniture to match the finish to your bed and side tables.
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In An Entryway
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A storage ottoman provides a seat for putting on your shoes, as well as a hidden space for scarves, keys, and dog leads.
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Layer Texture
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A folded throw or a couple of cushions on top adds a cosy, considered touch and makes the piece feel intentional.
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Why Choose House2Home For Furniture In Sydney?
For over 15 years, House 2 Home Collection has been an independent, family-run business dedicated to providing the perfect balance of design, quality, and affordability, with one main focus in mind: helping our customers create their sanctuary through beautiful living environments.
Supporting a locally owned business like ours not only upholds the local economy and employment for local community members, but also underpins the health and sustainability of local communities in general, as small businesses are the largest employers in Australia.
Now that we are online, we aim to continue offering our trademark good old-fashioned, family-run customer service to valued communities beyond our Crows Nest base.
So, whether you are just moving in, renovating, or simply want a fresh new look, you will find homeware essentials and home decor items to transform your home or office into your own personal work of art.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool?
A footstool is a small, simple piece made purely for resting your feet. An ottoman is usually larger and more versatile, often including storage, extra seating, or a surface for a tray. All footstools are ottomans of a sort, but not all ottomans are footstools.
How do you pair an ottoman with a sofa?
The best way to pair your sofa and ottoman is to match your ottoman directly to the style and material of your sofa to keep your room’s design consistent. Keep measurements in mind to ensure the ottoman is proportionate to the sofa.
Do ottomans provide storage?
Yes, most ottomans do provide storage, with some offering concealed space for blankets, toys, or linen. It is one of the most space-efficient pieces of furniture you can buy.
What size ottoman is best?
Match the ottoman roughly to the height of your sofa if you want to use it as a footrest. Always measure the ottoman to your available space so you can move it around comfortably.
