Buying a Footstool

There are many different aspects of your footstool you will need to consider before you make that all important purchase. With so many different shapes, types and functions of a footstool you need to make sure you are making the right choice for you. The most important of these considerations is the functionality of your intended footstool. The primary and secondary functions of your footstool will help determine the material, the padding, the size and the shape and design of your footstool.

For example, do you want your footstool for use on the sofa? If so, is your room occupied by a table? More and more people are noting the benefits of having a combined table and footstool to solve this dilemma. These types of footstools are known as bench stools. You can have them in either fabric or leather to match your existing furniture, as they are the same size as a coffee table. They act as a stylish addition to the centre of room and can provide a footrest not just for you but also for anyone else who can fit onto your sofa. At the same time it doubles up as a table with a top that's firm and flat enough to rest your coffee on quite comfortably. You can also get these in a variety of heights to suit your tastes.

You may also consider whether or not you want your footstool to offer storage as well and how much storage space you need versus the room you have available. You can either get a storage cube which is the same size as a pouffe so it can be easily moved around and tucked out of the way when not in use, or you can get an ottoman which can't be moved casually but offers a larger storage space. The ottomans are also much higher than the cube version and may well be more suitable in front of a sofa or as a window seat as they are large in width than a standard chair.

Perhaps you are just looking for an extra accessory for your room to balance out the space make a stylish addition and to be used casually from time to time as a footstool or spare seating when you have a lot of guests. In this case a pouffe or cube footstool would be ideal as it offer the comfort of both seating and a foot rest while maintaining a small size enough to still be tucked away to the side when not in use.

You may also wish to consider the shape and fabric of your footstool in relation to your existing furniture. A footstool should compliment your current décor and fit in with your current style and other furniture.

The author runs several furniture related businesses and is a respected authority on the subject of footstools and modern furniture design.