Can an ottoman replace a coffee table?

Yes, an upholstered ottoman can replace a coffee table if it is sized correctly. The ottoman should be about two-thirds the length of the sofa and sit 1 to 2 inches lower than the sofa cushion height -- typically 16 to 18 inches tall. A tray placed on top creates a flat surface for drinks and remotes. Storage ottomans offer the added benefit of hidden space for throws, pillows, and other living room items.

What size ottoman works as a coffee table in front of a sofa?

For a standard 84-inch sofa, a coffee table ottoman that is 48 to 56 inches long and 24 to 30 inches wide fills the space proportionally. Leave 15 to 18 inches between the ottoman and the sofa edge -- enough to reach forward comfortably without leaning. The ottoman should not extend past the armrests of the sofa on either side.

What is the advantage of a storage ottoman over a regular coffee table?

A storage ottoman provides hidden storage for items you want accessible but not visible -- blankets, kids toys, remote controls, and board games are common uses. The upholstered surface is also softer and safer around small children than a hard coffee table. The tradeoff is that an ottoman does not have the stable flat surface of a glass or wood coffee table, so adding a tray is necessary if you want to set drinks on it reliably.

Coffee Table Ottomans | Quality Home Furniture

How to Arrange Living Room Furniture: A Room-by-Room Guide -- using an ottoman as a coffee table -- sizing and how to style it.

Quality Home Furniture has served the Dallas-Fort Worth area from our Mesquite showroom since 1975. We're a family-owned business at 227 US HWY 80 E, Mesquite TX -- open Monday through Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Call (972) 288-9322.

Coffee Tables and Cocktail Tables: What to Get and What to Avoid -- using ottomans as coffee table substitutes -- sizing and what works.

Read our guide to choosing an ottoman -- sizing rules, which type fits each use case, and storage vs. non-storage options.