Footstool Choice

There are many important considerations to make when deciding to make a footstool purchase. With so many ranges and styles to choose from it is all too easy to make the wrong choice. What we intend to do here is guide you through the many aspects of the footstool buying decision prior making that all important purchase.

By way of an example are you buying a footstool to coordinate with an existing sofa arrangement? How do you want to use it and is the footstool to be functional or for decoration? The first question to answer is do you want to rest your feet on your stool? If so then the height of the stool is a vital consideration.

The height of the seat cushions from the floor will vary however an average UK sofa / chair height is perhaps fifteen inches. Without stretching your legs in an exact horizontal position, most people prefer to gently rest their feet downwards so that their feet are below the height of their posteriors. This means that a footstool should be between ten to fourteen inches in height from floor to top.

When an optimum height is established it is important that the choice of legs coordinates with your existing furniture. For instance if your sofa and chairs incorporate a dark wood finish then choosing a dark oak or mahogany wood finish for your footstool legs would be sensible. If the sofa runs on brass castors then similar feet should be chosen for your stool. Many people rush into a footstool purchase without considering the leather shade to coordinate with a leather sofa. We always suggest collecting leather or fabric samples before buying as the best way to ensure appropriate marrying of shade and texture.

Footstools can be simply decor but as functional units they really come into their own. Does your room have a table? If not a table footstool to solve this dilemma. "Tablestools" are useful pieces in either fabric or leather to match to your existing furniture and act as a coffee tables for placing drinks or snack foods. They are a fabulous addition to any room and provide the dual aspects of style and functionality at the same time. Your tablestool acts as a footrest for anyone else who can fit onto the sofa! When choosing a tablestool ensure that the top is firm and flat enough to rest drinks on and check that a fabric or stain protection has been applied to fabric tablestools to avoid problems with spillage. As previously ensure that the height suites everyone before making the purchase.

Another important consideration is whether you want your footstool to offer storage and how much will be needed. A small footstool storage cube with an uplifting lid can be used to hide away papers, magazines and books as well as offering valuable seating capacity in small rooms. A footstool pouffe may be used as a footrest or for additional seating so it can be easily moved around and tucked out of the way when not in use.

In conclusion it is footstool functionality and "decorative" value that should determine your buying decision. Whether you are looking for an extra accessory to add balance to your room or you need to rest weary feet after along day at work your choice of footstool is very much a personal decision. With these thoughts in mind your perfect footstool purchase can now be made.

The author has over 20 years experience running companies involved in furnishing fabrics and furniture manufacturing in the UK and writes extensively about footstools and contemporary furniture