Updating your living room and finding it hard to choose between an ottoman and a coffee table? While they are both practical choices that add function and style to your living space, they each have attributes that work well with different lifestyles.

Let’s take a look at some of the key distinctions between the ottoman and the coffee table to find out how each one would work best in your home.

 

Ottomans

An ottoman is a versatile piece of furniture characterized by its soft padded, upholstered surface. Because it can be used as a bench, stool, footrest, or a coffee table they work well in informal living rooms with a more relaxed, casual vibe. They often times feature a hollow storage compartment making it easy to tuck away pillows, blankets, and toys for a clean, uncluttered living room space. Ottomans work well in homes with young children as their soft surface minimizes injury when a little one takes a tumble.

The ottoman does have a couple of drawbacks. The soft plush surface requires the addition of a tray to create a flat surface for drinks, candles and other home decor. They can also make a small room look crowded due to their bulky nature.

The INSPIRED by Bassett Caldwell Storage Ottoman is a classic choice for the living room. With studded accents and tufted bonded leather fabric this luxurious, yet affordable ottoman adds an aura of sophistication to any room.

 

 

Gather family and friends around living room with the INSPIRED by Bassett Augusta Storage Ottoman.

 

The Avenue Six Cambridge Storage Bench does double duty as a bench and an ottoman.

 

Coffee Tables

The coffee table is a classic choice in living room design. Its rigid structure allows you to use more of the surface area for drinks, books and home decor, than an ottoman would. Coffee tables also hold up better for those occasional spills since they do not have any fabric to stain. If you entertain often in your living room, a coffee table may be a better option for these reasons. A coffee table also works better in formal living rooms and smaller spaces due to their sleeker design.

Inspired by industrial work shops of the past the Avenue Six Sullivan Coffee Table is an instant classic.

 

The chic OSP Designs Helena Coffee Table makes a refined statement.

 

Part table, part sculpture the OSP Designs Solana Accent Tables is sure to spark conversation.

 

Which would you choose, an ottoman or a coffee table?  Let us know in the comments below.