Living in a small space like an apartment or tiny home can be challenging when it comes to fitting furniture and maximizing every inch. The popularity of minimalist lifestyles and micro-apartments has led many to seek smart, multi-functional furniture. One great solution is the ottoman – this versatile piece can provide extra storage, seating, and table space in clever ways. Ottoman furniture is the perfect choice for small space living.
Benefits of Ottoman For Small Spaces
From saving space to enhancing your décor, ottomans offer many benefits for small spaces:
- Multifunctional – Ottomans can serve as a coffee table, extra seating, foot rest, storage unit, makeshift bed, shelf, and more. Their design flexibility allows them to adapt to many needs and uses.
- Space Saving – Many ottomans feature lift-up lids and hollow interiors to tuck away blankets, shoes, toys and other items when not in use. Foldable ottomans can be collapsed down to a fraction of their size.
- Flexible – Square, rectangular, round and oval shaped ottomans can serve different functions depending on their placement and use in a room. Wheeled ottomans can easily move around.
- Customizable – Ottoman furniture is available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, materials and styles. This makes it easy to find options that perfectly suit your small home.
10 Best Ottomans for Small Spaces
1. RimeHome Home Black Leather Square Storage Ottoman
With its compact and streamlined square shape, this leather ottoman can tuck away neatly against walls or into corners of small living spaces. The lift-top design allows you to concealed blankets, shoes, toys and other items to keep clutter out of sight and make the most of vertical storage in tight spaces.
2. Navy Blue Round Ottoman with Storage
The round, low profile design of this stool ottoman ensures it takes up minimal precious floor space in any small room. It can nestle underneath desks, tables, or other furniture to provide a foot rest or extra seat without monopolizing an entire corner. The shape also makes it easy to move around tight spaces.
3. Kakotito Modern Round Storage Ottoman with Wooden Lid – $115.00 at Amazon
With its rounded edges and lack of hard lines, this cocktail ottoman can comfortably fit into awkward narrow spaces in small apartments or homes. The smooth circular shape allows it to sit flush against walls and furnishings without leaving empty gaps or wasted space in the center.
4. Christopher Knight Home Ottilie Storage Ottoman – $166.99 at Target
Store blankets, shoes, books and more inside this roomy storage ottoman to keep floors clutter-free and make the most of vertical space in a compact room. When closed, the tufted top becomes an extra seat, foot rest or impromptu table without claiming additional precious square footage.
5. Rivet Revere Round Leather Iron-Framed Ottoman – $323.95 at Amazon
Despite its small footprint, the sophisticated tufted leather design of this ottoman makes it a space-saving statement piece for tiny spaces. Use it as a seat, foot rest or occasional table surface while taking up minimal floor space in your apartment or small living area.
6. Madison Park Martin Oval Surfboard Tufted Cocktail Ottoman – $245.65 at Amazon
With its smoothly rounded design void of any harsh lines or edges, this tufted ottoman can float freely in the center of a room without looking out of place. The ample padding and comfortable polyester fabric upholstery provide extra seating without hogging your limited floor space.
7. Degnan Upholstered Ottoman – $87.99 at Wayfair
Maximize your small space with the versatile Dwyn Storage Ottoman from Wayfair. This compact, neutral lift-top ottoman fits tight spaces and offers handy extra seating, storage, and surfaces. The woven polyester upholstery and metal legs create a lightweight, durable ottoman perfect for small apartments and studios.
8. RimeHome Faux Fur Stool Ottoman
Our Faux Fur Stool Ottoman adds a touch of modern elegance to tight spaces. The compact, customized design fits into any small room as extra seating or style. Luxurious multicolor faux fur tops a solid wood base built for durability. Perfect for maximizing function and flair in studios, dorms and micro-apartments.
9. Harrison 36 inch Wide Square Coffee Table – $257.47 at Amazon
This convertible, lift-top ottoman is perfect for transforming tiny spaces in micro-apartments or studios. Use it closed as a padded ottoman or flip up the top to create a usable coffee table surface for eating or working without taking up additional permanent floor space.
10. B FSOBEIIALEO Folding Storage Ottoman Cube – $49.99 at Amazon
The budget-friendly price point and versatility of this tufted cube ottoman make it easy to add extra storage and seating to even the smallest room. Its compact, squared-off footprint can fit neatly into challenging narrow spaces.
Tips for Using Ottoman in Small Spaces
Take full advantage of ottomans’ versatility in a small space by:
- Investing in nesting or cube storage ottomans to conceal blankets, linens, shoes, books, toys, and other items that can clutter up precious square footage. The lift-top design keeps them out of sight but still easily accessible.
- Placing round or rectangular ottomans in the center of the room to use as coffee tables or side table surfaces. Their shape and lack of harsh edges lets them sit flush against sofas, chairs and walls.
- Putting an outfitter’s caster wheels on large ottomans to quickly roll them around for repositioning. This adds flexibility to use them for different purposes in different spots as needed.
- Stacking lightweight cube or nesting ottomans on top of each other vertically along walls when not in use. This clears floor space and dedicates their storage to vertical real estate.
- Using padded ottomans as makeshift benches at the ends of beds, impromptu desks against walls, or shelves for displaying decor. Repurpose them daily for the task needed.
- Coordinating the colors and fabric patterns of your ottomans with your overall room decor. Contrasting or matching patterns and textures can help them blend in seamlessly.
Buying the Right Ottoman for Your Space
When shopping for the perfect ottoman, be sure to:
- Carefully measure the square footage you have to dedicate to an ottoman, along with doorway access. Compare dimensions to find options that will fit.
- Consider not just the shape but the size too – square, rectangle, round and oval ottomans all come in an array of footprints. Find your ideal.
- Determine special features needed like lift-top storage compartments, pull-out baskets, Wheels for moving, or flip-top tray tables.
- Choose durable upholstery materials like leather, microfiber or tightly woven polyester blends that resist stains, fingerprints and abrasions.
- Pick styles and colors that tie into your existing furniture and overall room decor. Contrast or complement patterns, textures and palette.
- Look for multi-functional and convertible ottomans like nesting cube sets, flip-top coffee tables, and fold-out sleepers to maximize versatility.
Conclusion
Ottoman furniture provides the perfect versatile, space-saving solution for small home spaces. Their many uses as storage, seating, tables and more allow you to maximize every inch. Follow the tips above to pick the ideal ottoman or ottomans to enhance your tiny home or apartment.
