Hide Away Your Overflow of Throws in the Best Storage Ottomans

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

Storage ottomans effortlessly juggle multiple roles. Some serve as an alternative to coffee tables, some act as extra seating, and all offer a spot to store, well, whatever you want. Whether you’re stashing away throws wherever you curl up at night or stuffed animals in a playroom, a storage ottoman is a hardworking piece of furniture. Trust us, they’re worth the investment. 

Before you become dazzled by ottoman designs, consider what the right style and size would be to function in your space. “Think about the typical daily use of your ottoman,” says Jeremy Graef, principal of Connate Design Studio. “Does the room require a plush top so you can put your feet up on it, or a hard top for art books and cocktail glasses?” Will you store oversize blankets or board games? Do you prefer a lid that lifts off or one on a hinge? 

We narrowed down the endless options to the nine best storage ottomans. Read on for our top picks. 

Our Favorites

• Best traditional tufted: Pottery Barn Lorraine Upholstered Tufted Square Storage Ottoman
• Best nursery (or not!) option: Crate & Kids Pollie Marigold Velvet Round Storage Ottoman
• Best end-of-the-bed beauty: Article Maribo Ivory Bouclé 48-Inch Storage Ottoman
• Best splurge: The Citizenry Torres Leather Storage Ottoman 
• Best pattern play: The Inside Skirted Storage Ottoman
• Best exposed storage: IKEA Gamlehult Ottoman
• Best for bohemian vibes: Urban Outfitters Myrah Storage Ottoman
• Best seating option: Wayfair Helene Round Storage Ottoman
• Best leather: Design Within Reach Nexus Cube

Best Traditional Tufted: Pottery Barn Lorraine Upholstered Tufted Square Storage Ottoman

Dimensions: 36-by-36 inches | Upholstery: Varies, including tweed, bouclé, twill, and velvet | Lid: Hinged

Why we chose it: There’s no going wrong with a tufted ottoman in a neutral hue.

There’s nothing flashy about this Pottery Barn pick, and that’s what we like about it. It’s the most traditional style in our best storage ottomans’ list, and would feel right at home in any living room begging for a sophisticated place to rest your feet. It’s available in a slew of performance fabrics, from olive velvet to ivory tweed, and offers serious storage space, too.

Best Nursery (or Not!) Option: Crate & Kids Pollie Marigold Velvet Round Storage Ottoman

Dimensions: 23-inch diameter | Upholstery: Velvet or bouclé | Lid: Removable  

Why we chose it: This ’70s-esque velvet ottoman would look just as natural in a nursery as it would a living room.

Don’t let the “& Kids” of Crate & Kids fool you into thinking this storage ottoman is only for tucking away wayward Legos and race cars. It’s not (though it does look darling with the coordinating rocking chair, if you’re outfitting a nursery). This plush round ottoman acts as a smart place to kick up your feet whether you’re singing lullabies to a newborn or lounging back with a glass of wine in your living room. The fact that you can store must-haves—be it blankies or a full-size throw—in it as well? All the better.

Best End-of-the-Bed Beauty: Article Maribo Ivory Bouclé 48-Inch Storage Ottoman

Dimensions: 48-by-15.5 inches | Upholstery: Bouclé and other upcycled polyester options | Lid: Hinged

Why we chose it: This elongated ottoman serves as a stylish and convenient place to store bedding.

No need to dig through the dark corners of your linen closet next time you’re changing your duvet. Add an elongated storage ottoman to your bedroom design instead. Not only will it serve as a convenient spot to stash your backup bedding, but you’ll love having a comfy spot to sit (that isn’t your bed) as you slip on your pj’s. We love its easy-as-can-be assembly, too. Simply screw on the legs and…voilà!

Best Splurge: The Citizenry Torres Leather Storage Ottoman 

Dimensions: 24-inch diameter (medium) or 30-inch diameter (large) | Upholstery: Vegetable-tanned leather | Lid: Removable

Why we chose it: It’s big, beautiful, and made from supple leather that’ll just get better with time. 

This leather storage ottoman from the Citizenry is an investment piece, that’s for sure, but one that will be passed down for generations to come. The reason it’s so pricey? It’s handcrafted with vegetable-tanned cow leather that’s been ethically sourced from Alcanena, Portugal, a small town known as “the land of leather.” If you have sticky-fingered children or are prone to spills, opt for a more stain-friendly ottoman. This one needs to be professionally cleaned.

Best Pattern Play: The Inside Skirted Storage Ottoman

Dimensions: 20-by-20 inches | Upholstery: A myriad of cotton, velvet, and polyester-linen options | Lid: Removable 

Why we chose it: Think of a pattern—from stripes to florals to leopard print—and chances are the Inside offers it as an upholstery option for this storage ottoman.

The best storage ottomans for living rooms in need of some added dimension? Opt for a pattern play: dalmatian prints, ikat designs, or stripes—like this skirted style from the Inside. At 20 inches wide, tall, and deep, it won’t give you as much storage space as other ottomans on this list, but it will serve as a charming spot to rest your feet or store small items. Now the hard part: narrowing down the pattern. We vote for the pink ticking stripe, but there’s no going wrong.

Best Exposed Storage: IKEA Gamlehult Ottoman

Dimensions: 24 ⅜-inch diameter | Material: Rattan | Lid: None

Why we chose it: This open rattan ottoman keeps books and remotes within easy reach. 

Out of sight, out of mind? Not with this charming—and affordable!—ottoman. Its open sides allow for a convenient spot to house items you reach for often. Stash away the latest issue of your favorite magazines or that remote you’re always losing in the couch cushions. If you want to throw your kiddos’ toys into an ottoman and forget about the mess of building blocks inside, this isn’t the option for you. Nothing can be hidden with this one.

Best for Bohemian Vibes: Urban Outfitters Myrah Storage Ottoman

Dimensions: 25-inch diameter | Material: Seagrass | Lid: Removable 

Why we chose it: The textured seagrass adds a natural touch to any space. 

This ottoman’s woven design radiates carefree vibes, and its potential functions are just as bohemian. Use it in a living room, or repurpose the piece as a bedside table—that is if you don’t plan to open it often. Simply top it with a small lamp and other tchotchkes that are easy to remove. Err on the side of caution when using it as a seating option, though, since the seagrass can crack under too much pressure.

Best Seating Option: Wayfair Helene Round Storage Ottoman

Dimensions: 19-by-19 inches| Material: Polyester | Lid: Removable 

Why we chose it: When your couch is full, this ottoman serves double duty.  

Go ahead, add one more friend to your cocktail party guest list. If you’re short on seating options in your living room, this modern storage ottoman makes for a comfy, convenient spot to sit and stay a while. It’s topped with a foam cushion that provides a just-firm-enough feel, and at 19 inches tall, those who sit there won’t feel awkwardly short compared to the people planted on your couch.

Best Leather: Design Within Reach Nexus Cube 

Dimensions: 19-by-19 inches | Material: Leather | Lid: Removable 

Why we chose it: This leather storage cube will cost you but also last a lifetime.

If you’re going to throw down a pretty penny on what we’re suggesting as the best storage ottomans, choose one that you’re guaranteed to love for years. How about this leather cube? It can serve as an ottoman, stool, or side table—and don’t forget about the “quick, we gotta clean up before the neighbors come over” storage space either. It’s upholstered in high-quality leather that’s easy to clean if a glass of red wine goes awry, and its timeless style ensures it will never look tired.

How We Chose These Products

A storage ottoman needs to fulfill many roles: It has to provide ample storage, double as a comfortable place to sit, perhaps serve as a coffee table, and add a certain je ne sais quoi to your living room design. We kept all those functions in mind as we shopped. To finalize this list, we prioritized ottomans from brands that we trust, in styles that look fresh today and will look equally as contemporary years from now. 

Our Shopping Checklist

Style

As always, style leads our shopping checklist. Considering you’re reading Domino, we’re guessing it’s at the top of yours, too. To make the cut, each of these best storage ottomans had to evoke a fresh yet classic style that you’ll be happy to kick your feet up on for years to come.

Size

Before clicking “add to cart” on any of these ottomans, get out your tape measure to ensure it will fit your living room’s needs. This list includes storage ottomans of all sizes, so no matter your square footage, there’s an option for you. “If you’re going with a traditional rectangular storage ottoman in place of a coffee table, choose one that’s about two-thirds the width of the sofa to ensure there’s enough space to pass through,” says Leslie Murphy, owner and creative director of Memphis-based Murphy Maude Interiors. As for height, ottomans are most comfortable when they are just slightly shorter than your couch.  

Material

Whether you prefer cotton, velvet, leather, or rattan, we shopped for storage ottomans with the highest quality of each of those materials. Don’t forget the frame either; you’ll want a sturdy base that can sustain weight if you plan on using the ottoman for seating. 

Storage

You don’t need us to tell you that storage is a top priority in a storage ottoman. We shopped for pieces in a variety of sizes to appease all storage needs, whether you’re stashing away blankets for the whole family or simply need a dedicated home for your remotes. Some have lids on hinges (with soft closures, so no pinched fingers), and others’ lids are entirely removable. 

Ask Domino

Q: How do I clean a tufted ottoman?

Always defer to your ottoman’s care tag—you didn’t cut that off, did you?—and follow those cleaning recommendations. If the tag is nowhere to be found, refer to the brand’s site for specific instructions. Each material will have its own requirements. While most upholstery can be spot-cleaned, others (like the Citizenry’s leather) may need to be professionally treated. No matter the material, though, run your vacuum’s crevice tool, the attachment with the flat head, around a tufted ottoman’s buttons. Crumbs be gone! 

Q: Should my ottoman and sofa match?

Match? No. Complement each other? Definitely. Both a couch and an ottoman are substantial pieces of furniture and should play off each other in terms of color and texture without being too matchy-matchy. “Going with a bit of variety adds dimension and makes the room look well thought-out and sophisticated,” says Murphy. “Ideally all furnishings should have a cohesive aesthetic for better room flow.” 

Q: Besides blankets and linens, what else can I store in an ottoman?

There’s no limit as to what you can store in an ottoman. Spare yourself from crawling into your attic next holiday season and use it as a convenient spot to tuck away seasonal decor items. If you live in a household rife with friendly competition, it can be used to house board games. Or as a backup closet. “In smaller spaces, such as apartments, storage ottomans can serve as makeshift dressers to store off-season jeans, sweaters, and accessories if closet space is an issue,” says Murphy.

The Last Word

A storage ottoman is a must-have multifunctional piece of furniture. Determine how you’ll use it—to kick your feet up on, as an alternative coffee table, as extra seating, or all of the above—then choose one that fits your space, style, and storage needs.