An ottoman is a piece of furniture used to rest your legs, feet, or both. Luckily today many ottomans also can be used for much more than that. Not only can they provide comfort while matching your favorite chair, couch, or sofa but they also can be used for storage. Many ottomans with storage are also designed to be used for other functions as well.
Many can be used for seating, as a coffee table, and some even have trays you can eat on. Available in a wide variety of styles, sizes, shapes, materials, and colors, an ottoman with storage can be an excellent investment and one which you use daily.
What You Need to Consider Before Shopping for Ottoman Storage
Before you go shopping whether at the mall, a furniture store, or online there are a few things you need to consider first which will help you to narrow down your options and purchase the correct storage ottoman for your situation.
What is the color/style/pattern of your current furniture or the room you are going to use your ottoman in?
This is important because an ottoman is a piece of furniture. That means you want it to match your existing furniture set and the style of your home. Taking a photo of your furniture or the room you plan to use it in, and bringing it with you when go shopping is a smart idea.
How much storage do you need?
Answering this question will help you to quickly determine what size or shape ottoman you need to buy. For keeping big bulky items or many things you will need a large storage ottoman bench that is either square or rectangular. Likewise, if you need to store only a few small items you could go with a storage cube ottoman.
What are you going to be using it for?
This is another question that will help to eliminate many options. If you are going to be using it for storage and only to rest your feet, you will have the most options.
However, if you are planning to on using it for seating as well, most storage ottomans have a weight limit so you need to take that into account also. And if you are looking to purchase one which you can also use as a table this will narrow down your choices even more.
Top Ottoman Storage Options:
An Ottoman Storage Bench
Normally when we think of an ottoman we think rectangular, and that’s just what a storage ottoman bench is. They look just like your normal ottoman but they are hollow inside. Most have a hinged top of either one large cushion or two smaller cushions which you simply flip open and you’re ready to keep or take out your extra things.
An ottoman storage bench has a large amount of storage and also can be used for sitting. In fact, many homeowners choose to purchase one at foot of their bed to keep extra blankets and sheets as well as to provide extra seating. Ottoman storage benches while larger than other varieties are actually fairly light and easy to move as well.
A Square Storage Ottoman for Extra Benefits
A square storage ottoman is another option if you are in need of a lot of storage. Many of these are double the width of some ottoman storage benches.
Typically they are large (smaller square ottomans are called cubes) and have a cover with a hinge that can flip open or a cushion that can be removed to open the inside. Some also have cushions that flip over and can be used as trays, and many can be used as tables.
Storage Ottomans with Trays Make Great Tables
Both bench and square storage ottomans can both be found with trays. As opposed to having a hinged top, a storage ottoman with trays has multiple cushions which on one side function as a place to rest your feet, and when you flip them over, they can be used as trays. This means your ottoman can be used as a table for eating or as a coffee table.
For this reason, whether they are rectangular or square, this type is also often referred to as a storage ottoman coffee table. In fact, many homeowners with small children purchase these to use as coffee table substitutes because unlike normal coffee tables, they have no dangerous sharp edges.
Most bench or rectangular varieties will have two or three cushions while the square type will have four. A storage ottoman with trays is perfect for watching and eating while enjoying TV or a movie whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or pizza night with the family.
A Round Storage Ottoman for Elegance
Yet another option and one which can look quite elegant is a round storage ottoman. These can also hold a decent amount of storage and many people use them as a cocktail tables as well. However, this type is not available with trays. Round storage ottomans are also almost always tufted.
A Storage Cube Ottoman Makes An Excellent Small Storage Space And More
The smallest option available is a storage cube ottoman. These are as the name says, in the shape of a cube. This type can either have a hinged cushion or a removable cushion top.
Like all storage ottomans, they are versatile and can be used as a seat, for your feet, or a table, and many also have cushions that double as trays so they can be used to eat on or to rest your drink. It’s up to you!
For Families And Shoe Collectors, A Shoe Storage Ottoman Could Be The Answer
For homeowners looking for a convenient place to keep their shoes, there are even shoe storage ottomans available as well. These are normally a bench storage ottoman which has storage pockets or compartments so you can keep your shoes from getting dusty, causing clutter, and of course out of view.
They are often used both as ottomans and also many times as a bench at the foot of the bed, or as a shoe bench that you can sit on while tying your shoes. Shoe storage ottomans also have room for other items as well, not only your shoes, as the pocket is located on the inside walls of the ottoman.
Many Materials Means Many Choices
Because storage ottomans are meant to match your existing furniture, it means that they come in a large variety of materials to do so. A leather storage ottoman looks both classy and sophisticated and is obviously the way to go if your existing furniture is also leather. However, these great looks don’t come without a price as leather ottomans are the most expensive.
A cheaper option is vinyl faux leather which in many cases looks almost just as good. There are also many fabric storage ottomans of every color to choose from so you can easily match your existing furniture set or décor. Many also have beautiful stitching and of course, tufted storage ottomans are also extremely popular in all shapes as they look very fashionable.
So remember when thinking about purchasing a storage ottoman, always first ask yourself what style of furniture your home already has, what you’ll be keeping inside, and how much storage you need. This will put you on the right track to finding the right ottoman for your unique situation. And with so many options in style, size, material, shape, and color, you will easily find what you need.
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