Fabric Footstools & Ottomans

Was there ever such a versatile piece of living room furniture as the fabric footstool? Want to put your feet up at the end of the day as you sink back into your favourite armchair? Need an extra place to sit down when guests come to visit? Want to add a pop of colour – but not too much colour? The humble but ever-so-stylish (and every bit as useful) fabric footstool will oblige every time.

Choosing the right fabric footstool

Our fabric footstools come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, all of which makes the choosing more fun (and perhaps more time-consuming). Never fear – we're here to help you understand your options and make the right decision.

Let’s start with shape. Most footstools are rectangular or square and they tend to be about the width of your sofa or armchair seat cushion. Rectangular fabric footstools fit seamlessly next to the wider seat cushion of, for example, a large armchair or a more roomy sofa, while square footstools are perfect pushed up to a smaller armchair or a more compact sofa.

You’ll also find round fabric footstools on legs, and circular pouffe-style footstools – the accent chair of the footstool world. This shape of fabric footstool won’t sit quite so neatly against the edge of a sofa or armchair but they do look fabulous and make a great little seat as well as the perfect place for tired feet.

In terms of size, you’ll find plenty of options from compact to large-scale to match your existing living room furniture and the overall proportions of your living space. Make sure that your chosen fabric footstool is the same height as your sofa or chair, or fractionally lower. A fabric footstool that is higher than the chair or sofa that it’s paired with will be an awkward and slightly uncomfortable way to raise your feet. That being said, some of our larger fabric footstools are designed to be low to the ground as they function rather more like a coffee table.

Short on places to put all those living room bits and pieces – the TV guide, TV remotes, magazines, coasters and so on? Be sure to take a look at our fabric footstools with storage. The footstools in our storage footstool collection are every bit as stylish as our regular footstools but have the extra benefit of a hidden storage compartment under the lid.

Need a little extra help as you shop fabric footstools? There’s plenty of information and guidance on choosing upholstered furniture – including fabric footstools – in our sofa and armchair buying guide.

Choosing the right colour for your fabric footstool

Along with a wide variety of shapes and sizes, our fabric footstools come in a huge choice of upholstery options and colours. While this does make life easier if you’re trying to coordinate a fabric footstool with an existing sofa or armchair, having plenty of choice can make decision-making even more challenging.

If you’re trying to coordinate your fabric footstool with your sofa, then we suggest you go for a deliberate contrast. Choose a patterned fabric footstool to accompany a plain beige armchair or a single-colour footstool to sit next to a patterned sofa. In both scenarios, it’s a good idea to pick out one of the colours in the patterned piece of furniture and match it to the colour of the plain piece of furniture.

A fabric footstool is also a great way to introduce a pop of bright or bold colour into a living space – perhaps a colour you love but don’t feel confident about living with when it’s on a larger scale. So if, in your heart of hearts, you’d love a teal sofa or an orange armchair – but perhaps you met resistance from another family member – why not opt for a fabric footstool in that very colour instead? A bold fabric footstool can also help establish a colour theme in a living room. Simply complete the look with a lampshade or cushion in a similar hue for a stylish coordinated look. Looking for something more traditional? We have a huge choice of brown fabric footstools – a classic colour that’s so easy to live with and seems to go with anything.

Aesthetic considerations aside, the type of fabric that your fabric footstool is upholstered in is key. Velvet footstools feel luxurious and stylish and adapt well to both contemporary and traditional interior styles. Easy-care fabric footstools are a great choice for busy family rooms – especially if not everybody remembers to remove their shoes before putting their feet up. And tweed and textured fabric footstools are a tad more forgiving when it comes to pet hair and dust.

The finishing touches

We love a fabric footstool because of its versatility – they make a great extra guest seat and an equally handy impromptu coffee table. But, of course, the fabric footstool really comes into its own when placed next to an armchair or sofa to make a super-comfortable, just-made-for-stretching-out-on chaise end sofa. If your new fabric footstool has inspired you to revamp your entire living room, be sure to look at our extensive sofa collection to find the one you love.

And don’t forget to have a browse through our home accessories department. A new rug, a statement floor lamp and some scatter cushions can really transform your space without breaking the bank.

Caring for your new fabric footstool

Like sofas and armchairs, your fabric footstool will last longer and look better if you take proper care of it. Have a look at our upholstered furniture care guide for a wealth of useful furniture-care tips and advice, and be sure to read the manufacturer’s care and maintenance instructions thoroughly.