Using an Ottoman as a Coffee Table: a guide

What to look for in an ottoman coffee table 

If you’re considering using an ottoman in place of a coffee table, the first thing you should think about is its primary function. Do you want to use it as a surface on which to place drinks, candles and objects d’art, or simply as somewhere to put your feet up? Deciding this will help you determine the right shape and size of ottoman to choose. 

What shape of ottoman is best for a coffee table? 

If you’re looking for a more practical piece, you’ll likely find a square or rectangular ottoman, such as our Sheki or Nesbitt designs, most useful. These ottomans have a large surface area on which to display home accessories or rest a bowl of snacks, offering a like-for-like replacement to the traditional coffee table.

If your ottoman coffee table is destined to be more of a showpiece in itself, you can be more creative with your selection. A circular style, such as our Russell Ottoman, adds a point of interest – and much like a round dining table, it encourages a more sociable setting. If you have a young family and need the child-friendly qualities of an upholstered coffee table – bouncy surfaces and soft edges at toddler-height – you may also find a round ottoman appealing. 

What size ottoman for a coffee table? 

Traditionally, coffee tables are designed to be the same height as sofa seat cushions, but we’d encourage you to seek an ottoman that sits slightly lower so that you can rest your feet in perfect comfort.

Its width, on the other hand, should be determined by the size and layout of your sitting room. If your space errs on the smaller side, be conscious of anything too large. Ensure there’s enough space between the ottoman and the rest of your furniture for people to walk past comfortably, as this will prevent the room from feeling overcrowded. If you have a bigger space, look for an appropriately large ottoman, as anything too small will feel out of kilter with the rest of the room. 

Ottoman styles that can be used as coffee tables 

There is no one-size-fits-all rule for ottomans; their designs are many and varied, which gives you license to be creative with your space. If you’re looking for a coffee table with storage, an ottoman is a nice alternative.

It you’re after somewhere to keep a collection of books, magazines or ornaments, an ottoman with an open shelf, such as our Gwendolen or Glin designs, allows you to display your favourite pieces as you please. Alternatively, if you’re hoping to hide things away, such as children’s toys, games or spare soft furnishings, our Cranesbill and Crusoe ottoman storage boxes, which feature hinged lids, may be your best option.

For smaller sitting rooms, a footstool coffee table offers the benefits of a traditional ottoman without the commitment to space. Cute and compact, our signature Costellini Ottoman is primarily a perch for weary feet but can easily balance a tray of drinks when required. You can also choose an ottoman footstool with storage to make the most of small-scale spaces.

As pretty as they are practical, ottoman coffee tables also offer the opportunity to be creative with design – and if your chosen piece is destined for the centre of the room, then the more it complements your overall interiors look the better. These typically upholstered pieces give you the chance to have fun with colour, print and texture. Make a statement with a bold pattern, create warmth and depth with a contrasting fabric or add an elegant twist with velvet – jewel tones will take the glamour factor to the next degree. 

How to style an ottoman coffee table 

Just because you’ve replaced your traditional coffee table with an upholstered alternative doesn’t mean you can’t be creative with home accessories. Start with a decorative tray, as this will provide a flat and solid surface on which to place your favourite pieces – with the added bonus that it can be easily removed when you want to use your ottoman as a seat or stool or need to access the storage underneath.

Once you’ve settled on a tray style (we recommend one that’s the same shape as your ottoman to create a sense of unity) you can accessorise as you please; candles, ornaments and an arrangement of faux flowers will all add interest to your living space.

Finally, if you’d like your ottoman to be more of a showpiece than a practical sitting room fixture, drape a throw over one end to add a contrast of textures, or simply leave it bare so its design can do the talking. The beauty of the versatile ottoman is that it will always adapt to suit you.