Tufted Ottoman With Shelf

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert

Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

Updated 29/04/2021

There's no hard and fast rule saying that an Ottoman has to be solid throughout. Not when we have tufted ottomans with shelves available for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. These are clever and more useful than just a standard Ottoman. Use the shelves for storage of books or other small things and rest your feet on the tufted surface while you luxuriate at the end of a hard day.

Buying Guide

Need a seating solution with an additional storage/display space? Consider getting a tufted shelf ottoman! You'll find the shelf underneath the cushioned top great for storage of magazines or display of knickknacks. As for the entire piece, it acts like a coffee table, a place where you can elevate your feet, and an additional seating area. A tufted shelf ottoman is definitely the best when it comes to multitasking in your living room.

What are the best materials for a tufted ottoman?

A shelf ottoman gets more use compared to all other pieces of furniture within a living room. That's why the risk of stains and spills is heightened. To ensure your ottoman doesn’t wear out sooner even when you have pets or kids, choose the one with a padded top made of acrylic or microfiber. Both materials are resistant to stain and incredibly easy to clean. They will also handle heavy use.

Your other great option is one with a pattern as it can hide stains better compared to a solid color. As the piece is tufted, it will collect dirt quicker compared to a flat covering.

Leather is also a great upholstery option as there’s no beating to its elegant look. It can give elegance to any space, and not just the living room. Even when it develops lines, the imperfections will just add to its authenticity and charm. Leather is relatively easy to maintain as well. But, we don’t recommend the material for households with pets. A scratch, unfortunately, leads to permanent damage. This applies to suede as well which looks as luxurious as leather.

How to style with tufted ottomans?

You'll find lots of ottomans with shelves in various styles, so there’s no reason for you to find the one that perfectly complements your existing furniture. You may go down the traditional or classic route of getting an ornate piece that has intricate woodwork. You can also opt for one that’s more contemporary with an unexpected pattern or shape. Think fully upholstered triangle-shaped furniture or even cylinders.

When you’re deciding on a style, don’t forget to think about the piece’s intended use so it can still address your needs. Check the ottoman’s construction accordingly. Maybe you’re looking for a large one so multiple people can share it. If so, then make sure that it is heavy enough that it can offer support without tipping. If possible, favor a piece with four strong feet.

How to coordinate an ottoman with your living room color palette?

Your tufted shelf ottoman doesn’t have to perfectly match the colors of your other living room furniture. Enjoy having the chance of adding a furniture piece that has a contrasting hue. Your ottoman will be able to offset the other pieces in your space. A great tactic you can use is getting a bold color (primary) and set it against your living room with a neutral tint.

You can also allow the piece’s construction to steal the show by having a unique frame with less fabric. Feel free to go out of your comfort zone when deciding on a piece. You can even experiment with several different combinations just to get the appeal or look that you want. An ottoman is a versatile furniture, so don’t underestimate it!