The best footstools for putting your feet up in style

Comfortable, practical and always stylish, the multipurpose footstool really does it all: it elevates your living room setup while providing extra storage and seating for guests.

'Often an overlooked piece of furniture, footstools can be a real hero for the home,' says Jemma Jaques, visual design lead at The Lounge Co. 'Not only do they add depth, colour and personality to your living space, but they also act as occasional seating if you're entertaining friends, as well as a place to clear away the clutter if you opt for a storage footstool.'

What’s the difference between an ottoman, pouffe and footstool?

Although similar in style – and sometimes purpose – there are some obvious differences between the three. Pouffes are usually plumper and softer, resembling that of a cushion, whereas footstools and ottomans are more robust and often have legs. Ottomans lean more towards a low bench-style seat without a back or arms, whereas a footstool is lower and traditionally used for resting your feet.

What size and shape should you choose?

What you intend to use your footstool for will make a difference to the shape, height and overall size that you choose.

'If you've got limited space, a compact stool won't take up too much room while still being big enough for one person to put their feet up on. If you're planning to put a footstool in the middle of the room in place of a coffee table, then it's worth scaling up,' advises Jemma.

'It's also worth considering the firmness of the footstool. If you're going to use it as a table, you'll want something firm, but if it's somewhere comfortable to rest your feet after a hard day then something soft and rounded is more desirable.'

What colour and fabric should you choose?

Many brands offer footstools to match their sofa ranges, so consider whether you want your new purchase to marry up with the rest of your furniture or to be a distinctive piece in the room.

'If you've opted for traditional or neutral decor, it's probably wise to keep a limited colour scheme. If your interior scheme is contemporary, then you can afford to be colour confident: a vibrant shade or a bold print that complements your existing furniture will be a real style statement. Darker tones, such as midnight blue, are big this season – and they're also less likely to show accidental stains,' adds Jemma.

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