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A storage ottoman earns its floor space three times over — a footrest, extra seating, and a hidden box for throws or toys. Here are 10 worth buying, from a big lift-top coffee-table ottoman to a small knitted pouf, each linked to a well-reviewed pick.
My top pick: A rectangular lift-top storage ottoman in a hard-wearing woven fabric, sized to sit in front of a sofa, is the one to own — it hides a duvet’s worth of throws, takes a tray on top, and doubles as a seat when people come round.
1. Lift-Top Coffee-Table Ottoman
A big rectangular ottoman with a hinged lid — blanket storage, a footrest, and a tray surface. Shop lift top storage ottoman on Amazon →
2. Storage Ottoman Bench (End-of-Bed)
A long, low bench with a lid — sits at the foot of the bed for spare linen and off-season clothes. Shop end of bed storage bench on Amazon →
3. Cube Storage Ottoman
A single upholstered cube with a removable top — slots beside a chair, works as a spare seat. Shop cube storage ottoman on Amazon →
4. Round Storage Ottoman
A drum-shaped ottoman with an inner well — softer in a room full of straight lines. Shop round storage ottoman on Amazon →
5. Knitted / Braided Pouf
A firm, chunky-knit floor pouf — a footrest and a texture piece. Usually no storage. Shop knitted pouf on Amazon →
6. Leather / Faux-Leather Pouf
A stitched leather-look pouf — wipes clean, ages well, a bit more formal. Shop leather pouf ottoman on Amazon →
7. Folding Fabric Storage Ottoman
Collapses flat when empty — the practical, move-it-anywhere option. Lighter build. Shop folding storage ottoman on Amazon →
8. Ottoman with a Reversible Tray Lid
A lid upholstered on one side and a hard tray on the other — footrest or table, your choice. Shop storage ottoman with tray on Amazon →
9. Storage Ottoman with Wheels
Castors so you can roll it between the sofa and an armchair — a shared footrest. Shop rolling storage ottoman on Amazon →
10. Kids’ Toy-Storage Ottoman
A soft-sided, safe-hinge ottoman for a playroom — toys in, a seat on top. Shop kids toy storage ottoman on Amazon →
The bottom line
A lift-top rectangular ottoman in a durable fabric is the one to own — it swallows blankets and gives you a surface and a seat. Add a knitted pouf elsewhere in the room for a second footrest.