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Living in the UK often means making the most of the space you have. Whether you're in a cosy flat or a family house, clutter can quickly accumulate, making rooms feel smaller and less organised. A storage ottoman is a clever and stylish solution, offering a place to sit, a spot to rest your feet and a hidden compartment to tidy away everyday items.
As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, my role is to help you find practical items for your home. This guide will walk you through what to look for in a storage ottoman and highlight a few options that balance style, function and value, helping you make an informed choice for your living space.
Choosing the right piece of multi-functional furniture involves more than just picking a colour. Here are a few key points to consider to ensure you find the perfect fit for your home.
Before you start browsing, measure the area where you plan to place your ottoman. Will it be an end of bed bench to store extra bedding? Or perhaps a compact solution for entryway storage to hide away shoes and bags? Consider both the length and width, ensuring there's enough room to walk around it comfortably. Also, think about height—if you plan to use it as a footstool, its height should be similar to or slightly lower than your sofa's seat.
The fabric of an upholstered storage bench not only defines its look but also its durability. Linen-look fabrics are known for their resilience and are a popular choice for busy family homes. They offer a clean, modern aesthetic that is easy to maintain. Velvet, on the other hand, provides a touch of luxury and softness, making it a great accent piece in a bedroom or a more formal living room. Look for sturdy frame materials like MDF or solid wood, and check the maximum weight capacity to ensure it can handle its dual role as both storage and seating.
Think about what you plan to store. Bulky items like blankets and pillows will require a deep and spacious interior, whereas a footstool with storage for magazines and remote controls can be more compact. Some models are simple lift-top boxes, while others feature safety hinges that allow the lid to close slowly and softly—a useful feature in homes with children. The versatility of an ottoman bench means it can serve as a coffee table, extra seating for guests or a discreet storage unit, all in one.
We've selected a few different styles of storage ottomans that cater to various needs and home aesthetics.
Why It Stands Out: This ottoman is built for practicality and capacity. Its standout feature is the combination of a very generous 131-litre storage volume and an impressive 300 kg weight capacity. The design is simple yet robust, with a tufted linen-look fabric, durable MDF panels and metal-reinforced corners on the lid. A unique benefit is its foldable design, allowing it to be packed away flat if needed.
Pros:
Who is it for?: This is an excellent choice for families or anyone needing a heavy-duty storage and seating solution in a high-traffic area like a living room or hallway.
Why It Stands Out: This piece brings a touch of French-inspired elegance to any room. The soft, velvet-feel upholstery, deep button tufting and gracefully carved rubberwood legs make it a decorative focal point. Functionality hasn't been overlooked; it includes a soft-close padded lid for safety and convenience, preventing it from slamming shut. The curved silhouette adds a sophisticated design element not often seen in storage furniture.
Pros:
Who is it for?: Ideal for someone looking to add a piece of statement furniture to their bedroom or living room, where visual appeal is just as important as practical storage.
Why It Stands Out: This compact storage bench is a master of understated functionality. Its smaller footprint makes it perfect for tighter spaces like hallways, studies, or at the foot of a bed in a smaller bedroom. The neutral charcoal linen-look fabric and tapered solid wood legs give it a clean, contemporary look that blends in effortlessly. Despite its size, it offers useful inner storage and a comfortable, thickly padded seat.
Pros:
Who is it for?: A great option for those in flats or homes where space is at a premium. It works well as a window seat, a small end of bed bench, or a discreet storage spot by the sofa.
Our recommendations cover a range of common needs, but every home is unique. If you're searching for a specific shade or a different style, our collection is always expanding. For those who appreciate a versatile and calming colour palette, a grey storage ottoman is often a perfect choice.
Explore our wider range of grey footstools to find the ideal match for your home's decor.
1. What can you store in a storage ottoman? A storage ottoman is incredibly versatile. Common items include blankets, throws, cushions, bed linen, books, magazines, remote controls and children's toys. In an entryway, they are perfect for storing shoes, hats and scarves.
2. Can you sit on a storage ottoman? Yes, most are designed to double as seating. However, it is crucial to check the manufacturer's specified maximum weight capacity before using it as a bench or seat. All the products recommended above list their weight limits, ranging from 120 kg to 300 kg, making them suitable for everyday use.
3. How do I choose the right size storage ottoman? First, measure the length and width of the space where you intend to place it, ensuring you leave enough clearance to walk around it. Next, consider its purpose. If it's for an entryway, it should be narrow enough not to block the path. If it's an end of bed bench, it should be slightly less wide than the bed itself for a balanced look. Finally, check the height to ensure it's comfortable for sitting or as a footrest next to your sofa.