The beauty of ottomans is that they have so many uses. Depending on their size, ottomans can be used for seating, as an end table or coffee table, for decoration and storage, to help you kick up your feet—or all of these!

When it comes to seating, many of my ottomans feature Bob-O-Pedic Memory Foam that makes them nice and comfy for sitting on or as a footstool. You can use an ottoman as part of your primary seating selection, or have it supplement your couches and accent chairs when you have a full house!

Some ottomans have storage that provide an out-of-sight spot to stash away items you still want to keep handy. And if that’s not enough, I even have a sleeper ottoman, so you’ll always have an extra bed at the ready!

The size of the ottoman you buy will depend on what you intend to use it for. If you want an ottoman or two for occasions when you might need extra seating, a smaller size is the way to go.

A small ottoman can be tucked away in a corner, under a console table or stored in a closet. Ottomans that are small to medium size can also be used as a footrest or extra surface. If you like your furniture to be versatile, or if you like to change up your room often, a small ottoman is best.

If you want a coffee table alternative, select a large ottoman. Size your coffee table ottoman the same way you would a regular coffee table, typically about two-thirds the length of your couch.

A big ottoman is also a great option if you want living room seating that’s different from your couches and chairs to mix up the space. An oversized ottoman can potentially seat more than one person but is still smaller than a traditional loveseat, making it an excellent option for tight spaces.

For ottomans that will accompany seating, just make sure the height is about one inch lower than the seat cushions.

Place your living room ottoman wherever you’ll get the most use out of it!

Common placement for an ottoman is in front of a couch or accent chair that doesn’t recline so you can use it as a coffee table or footrest. You can even get creative and place an ottoman next to a sofa (instead of an end table) and then pull it over when you need an extra seat or want to put your feet up! Placing two matching ottomans side by side in your seating area is another idea to instantly maximize style and function.

One of the benefits of using an ottoman as a coffee table is that you can clear it off when you need extra seating and quickly have more comfy places for your guests to sit. You can’t do that with a traditional coffee table!

Another benefit is the plushness of an upholstered ottoman compared to the hard lines of a coffee table—especially if you have little ones running around! For some, the appearance of a cushioned ottoman is simply more preferable than a coffee table. Others like that ottomans often come in living room sets, so it’s one less piece of furniture to buy and it already matches your other furniture. How convenient!

One last benefit is that a large ottoman coffee table often contains hidden storage. We all need a little extra storage!

When deciding between an ottoman or traditional coffee table, also keep in mind that a soft ottoman coffee table will typically need a tray, or some other flat surface, to keep any drinks, candles or plants upright and protect the fabric.