Patio Furniture Sets

Storage Ottoman Types

Rectangular Storage Ottomans

A rectangular ottoman with storage is the most versatile configuration. It suits most living room layouts, works as a coffee table with a tray placed on top, and provides the most interior storage volume relative to its footprint. Standard widths run 36" to 52" with depths of 18" to 24" and heights of 16" to 18". Most include a lift-top lid that opens to a single storage compartment; some larger models are divided into 2 or 4 sections to keep contents organized.

Round Storage Ottomans

A round storage ottoman softens the hard geometry of a living room filled with rectangular sofas and tables. Diameters range from 18" for a compact accent piece to 36" for a statement ottoman that doubles as a central coffee table. The curved profile suits rooms where traffic flows around the ottoman, since there are no sharp corners to navigate. Round ottomans with storage typically open via a lift-top lid or a removable tray top.

Storage Ottoman Benches

A storage ottoman bench is a longer, narrower configuration: typically 48" to 60" wide and 14" to 16" deep, with a seat height of 17" to 19". It functions as both a bench seat and a storage chest, making it practical at the foot of a bed, along a bedroom wall, or in an entryway. The upholstered exterior softens the visual weight of a full storage chest while maintaining the same enclosed storage capacity.

Tufted Storage Ottomans

Tufted upholstery uses a grid or diamond pattern of button indentations to give the ottoman surface a traditional, formal character. Tufted storage ottomans are most at home in traditional and transitional living rooms where the upholstered detail coordinates with a button-tufted sofa or armchair. They are available in both rectangular and round formats, as well as in leather, faux-leather, and fabric upholstery.

Storage Ottoman as Coffee Table

One of the most practical uses for a large rectangular or square ottoman with storage is as a soft, coffee-table alternative. Placed centrally in a living room seating arrangement, a firm-top ottoman with a removable tray or a flat wooden tray placed on top holds drinks, books, and remotes in the same position a coffee table would, while the interior storage handles blankets, gaming controllers, or children's toys. The upholstered surface also eliminates the shin-height corner hazard of a hard table.

Choosing the Right Storage Ottoman

Size and Room Proportion

For a standard sofa and seating arrangement, an ottoman placed as a coffee table should be approximately 2/3 the length of the sofa and leave at least 18" of clearance between the ottoman and the sofa edge. A large storage ottoman in the 40" to 52" range suits most three-seat sofas. A smaller ottoman of 24" to 30" works better as a footstool companion to a single chair.

Upholstery Material

• ● Fabric: The most forgiving everyday choice; available in the widest color and pattern range; most comfortable to sit on.

• ● Faux Leather (PU): Easy to wipe clean; good for households with children or pets; shows wear at fold points over time.

• ● Leather: Most durable long-term; develops character with age; the premium choice for formal living spaces.

• ● Velvet: High visual impact; suits contemporary and glam interiors; requires more care to maintain appearance.

Lid Mechanism

A lift-top ottoman with a soft-close hinge is the most user-friendly mechanism: the lid opens without slamming and stays open while you retrieve items. A simple lift-off lid or tray top removes completely, providing full access to the interior but requiring a place to set the lid while the ottoman is open. For households with young children, a soft-close mechanism is strongly preferred to help prevent lid-impact injuries.

Interior Storage Capacity

Interior storage depth in most upholstered ottomans runs 8" to 12". A 10" deep interior holds up to 3 to 4 folded throws, a set of board games, or the equivalent in mixed everyday items. For maximum storage capacity, choose a rectangular ottoman with a longer footprint over a round one; the rectangular format provides significantly more usable interior volume for the same exterior size.

Explore the Full Storage Collection

For storage seating in an entryway or bedroom with a harder seat surface, browse our storage benches in upholstered and wood-top configurations.

Need a decorative storage piece with more capacity? Our storage trunks offer blanket-chest-style storage in wood and wicker finishes, suited for bedroom and living room use.

See all storage options in the storage furniture collection to compare formats and find the right piece for each room.