The sofa gets all the glory. There’s always so much hue and cry about choosing “the” sofa for the living room because it is the centrepiece of your living room, the anchor of every movie night, and the star of every catalogue shot.
What about the unsung hero that just sits patiently, waiting for its moment? You guessed it right. We are talking about the footstool, the underdog hero of interior design.
Usually designed to be simple and functional, this is actually the most dynamic, adaptable, and essential item you can own. Your footstool is always on duty, ready to switch up its function at a moment’s notice. It’s time to stop thinking of it as just a place to rest your feet and start seeing it for the multi-talented superstar it truly is.
The Multi-Talented MVP of Furniture
A footstool is the ultimate chameleon. Originally designed for simple relaxation, offering elevation to ease one’s strain at the end of a long day, its modern application is considerably more complex. It is a testament to good design that one item can shift seamlessly between serving as comfortable seating, a practical tabletop, and a decorative accent.
Imagine hosting a large family gathering where the seating is minimal or scarce. Your footstool immediately becomes that ideal additional perch, comfortable enough for a stop-and-chat but easily moved back into position when the guests leave. Or picture a quick workspace revamp. Pulled up to a desk chair, a chunky ottoman can provide ergonomic support that keeps your posture right.
Take the classic look, for example, of a rich, deep brown leather footstool. Its sturdy, flat surface isn’t just a timeless addition to your décor but can instantly double as a stylish coffee table. Just put a decorative tray on top, and you’ll have a stable, gorgeous surface for drinks, books, or flowers. When the evening is over, take the tray off and there is luxurious, sink-in seating or the perfect spot to put your feet up. No other single piece of furniture offers such a simple, elegant switch of function.
More Than Just a Footrest: Solving Your Home’s Biggest Problems
A footstool doesn’t just adapt to an environment but actively solves common domestic challenges with a sleek subtlety that is hard to find in larger furniture.
- The Hidden Hero of Clutter
In modern living, clutter is the enemy of calm. Books, remote controls, blankets, games, and charging cables seem to multiply daily. This is where the footstool’s hidden superpower comes into play: it provides a clever, dedicated place to conceal these items while remaining completely accessible.
A sturdy footstool with storage is the ultimate solution for any living space. It’s not just a beautiful place to sit; lift the lid, and you suddenly have a generous compartment that swallows all the everyday mess.
Place one at the foot of your bed for a beautiful spot to sit while dressing, keeping spare pillows and linens tidy. In the main living area, clear away your magazine pile or the kids’ toys in seconds, and keep your space looking serene and organised without having to invest in an entirely separate, bulky cabinet. This dual function makes it invaluable in smaller homes, where every square inch needs to pull double duty.
- The Sizing Superpower
Another category in which the footstool really shines is fitting into tricky spaces. While coffee tables and armchairs often require at least a certain amount of floor space, the footstool is available in every size and shape imaginable, from petite cube pouffes to generously scaled rectangular ottomans.
This versatility in scale means you can always find one that will perfectly fit into a tight corner, fill an awkward gap between seating, or pull your entire furniture arrangement together without overwhelming the room. It ensures your home flows naturally, providing function where a larger piece would simply cause an obstruction.
- Defining Your Space: The Style and Design Impact
The poor footstool often gets passed over as a design element, yet it’s actually one of the easiest ways to inject personality, texture, and style into your space. Being a much smaller investment compared to a sofa or big armchair, it’s the perfect vehicle through which to take design risks.
You could use a footstool in defining an all-new colour palette or mood, too. Looking to add vibrant emerald green or rich sapphire blue to a neutral living room? A bold velvet footstool provides that powerful pop of colour without commitment to painting a whole wall or reupholstering a sofa. Likewise, you can utilise the shape in contrast to the existing furniture, such as a circular ottoman against a sharp, square-lined sectional sofa, which will soften the whole look and introduce an aspect of gentle flow.
The fabric choice is key. A textured boucle could add a cosy, tactile dimension, while a smooth linen, even a patterned fabric, allows the footstool to become the artwork of the room. By thoughtfully selecting the feet, whether modern polished metal or classic tapered oak, you ensure this hardworking piece harmonises with the rest of your furniture collection. It anchors the space, connecting all the disparate elements of your décor with attention to detail.
The Investment that Works Harder: Quality and Longevity
The hardest working pieces of furniture in your house are, of course, those made to last and those which can adapt as your life and needs change. A quality footstool is just such a kind of enduring investment because they get handled and moved so frequently. A well-made one should be constructed with durability in mind, using solid frames and resilient fabrics that can withstand constant use.
Unlike trends that fade, the footstool remains timeless. If your style evolves, it is a simple matter to re-style the footstool with a new throw, different tray, or even a re-cover to match your new aesthetic. This is a piece you can take from your first apartment to your family home, adapting from a small side table to a grand ottoman centrepiece.
A Well-deserved Standing Ovation
The sofa might be the biggest piece of furniture in your living room, but the footstool is arguably the best. It’s the furniture world’s utility player, stepping in as a seat, a table, a storage unit, and a crucial design accent. It works hard, often unnoticed, to make your home more comfortable, more organised, and more stylish.
So, the next time you settle in for the evening, take a moment to appreciate the true MVP of your furniture collection.