Extended Answer

Start with where your ottoman will live

What goes inside an ottoman usually depends on which room it’s in.

In a sitting room, it might become the home for throws, spare cushions, board games or children’s toys. At the end of a bed, spare bedding, blankets and bed linen are obvious candidates. In a hallway or dressing room, it can be useful for the smaller things you want tucked neatly out of sight.

That’s one of the advantages of hidden storage: the ottoman still looks like a beautiful piece of upholstered furniture while quietly doing another job.

Think about volume, not just the number of things

Five board games and five large cushions are both five things. They require completely different amounts of space.

Bulky, lightweight items such as cushions and duvets can fill an ottoman surprisingly quickly, so if you have something particular in mind, think about its actual volume when choosing the size and depth of your ottoman.

Some things are better stored elsewhere

An upholstered storage ottoman is useful furniture, but it isn’t a replacement for every cupboard in the house.

Avoid storing damp or wet items, anything likely to leak, or things that could damage or mark the interior. And if something needs particular storage conditions, an ottoman probably isn’t the place for it.

Expert Tip

Before ordering, make a rough pile of everything you hope to put inside your ottoman. It’s much easier to judge the storage you need when you can actually see how much stuff you’re trying to make disappear.

Key Takeaways

• Storage ottomans are ideal for throws, cushions, bedding, toys and games.
• Think about which room the ottoman will live in and what naturally needs storing there.
• Bulky soft furnishings can require more capacity than you expect.
• Choose the size and depth according to what you actually want to store.
• Keep damp, leaking or unsuitable items elsewhere.
• The most useful storage is for things you want nearby but not on display.