Footstool vs pouffe vs ottoman: what is the difference?
Footstools, pouffes and ottomans are all low upholstered pieces you can rest your feet on, and the names overlap. Each has its strengths, from extra seating to hidden storage.
Footstools
A footstool is a low, padded seat on legs, designed mainly for putting your feet up. They're often made to match a sofa or armchair, and larger footstools can hold a tray and work as a soft coffee table.
Pouffes
A pouffe is a padded seat with no visible legs, often round or cube-shaped. They're light enough to move around the room, making them handy as an extra seat for guests, a footrest or a perch in a bedroom or child's room.
Ottomans
An ottoman is a padded box or bench that usually opens for storage. It's perfect for throws, games or toys, and doubles as a seat. Some sofa ranges also call a matching footstool an ottoman.
Comparison
| Footstool | Pouffe | Storage ottoman | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | Usually | No | Sometimes |
| Storage | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Best for | Feet up, coffee table with a tray | Moveable extra seat | Hidden storage plus a seat |
Our pouffes and footstools include storage designs and come from makers such as LPD Home, Swyft, SOLACE+CO and Living and Home.
How to choose
- Height: for resting feet, choose something roughly level with your sofa or chair seat, or slightly lower.
- Size: one large footstool in front of a sofa can serve several people; small pouffes are easy to tuck away.
- Storage: if you're short of space, a storage ottoman or storage pouffe earns its keep.
- Firmness: firmer tops are better as seats or tray tables; softer ones are comfier for feet.
Where to use them
- Living room: in front of the sofa, or beside an armchair. See our armchair guide.
- Bedroom: a storage ottoman at the foot of the bed holds spare bedding. Our ottomans and storage boxes are made for this.
- Hallway: a pouffe or small bench to sit on while putting on shoes.
- Kids' rooms: pouffes make good seats for reading and gaming.
Fabrics and care
Footstools and pouffes get a lot of contact with feet and shoes, so practical fabrics and mid-tones are sensible in busy homes. Velvet, boucle and sherpa-style fleeces look beautiful in less-used spaces. See edits of grey and beige pouffes and footstools, and our velvet and boucle care guide.
Size and proportion
In front of a sofa, a large footstool should leave space to walk around it and sit roughly in proportion to the sofa, much like a coffee table. Our coffee table guide has a quick sizing rule. In front of an armchair, a smaller footstool or pouffe a little narrower than the chair looks balanced. A pair of small pouffes is a flexible alternative to one large piece: push them together as a footrest, or pull them apart as extra seats.
Shop pouffes and footstools
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pouffe and a footstool?
A footstool usually stands on legs and is designed for putting your feet up. A pouffe has no visible legs and is light enough to move around as an extra seat.
Can a footstool be used as a coffee table?
Yes. A large, firm footstool with a tray on top works well as a soft coffee table.
What is an ottoman used for?
An ottoman is usually a padded box or bench that opens for storage and doubles as a seat or footrest. Some sofa ranges also call a matching footstool an ottoman.