Ashley Canada Ottomans: More Than Just a Footrest

An ottoman is the kind of furniture piece you don’t think about until you have one, and then you can’t imagine your living room without it. Prop your feet up after a long day, pull it over as extra seating when company shows up, or pop the lid and tuck away the blankets that multiply over winter. One piece, three jobs.

What Kind of Ottoman Is Right for You?

Most ottomans at Ashley Canada are fabric-upholstered, and the material you choose shapes how it holds up day to day. Fabric is the most popular pick. It’s soft, comes in a range of colours and textures, and fits into almost any room without trying too hard. If your household includes kids, pets, or anyone who treats furniture like furniture, performance fabric is worth a serious look. It handles spills, resists stains, and cleans up easily. Leather and leather-look options bring a more polished feel and wipe clean in seconds, though leather shows scratches more readily in homes with pets.

If you are after something that earns its place beyond just looking good, a storage ottoman is where it gets genuinely useful. Lift the top and you have a spot for extra pillows, kids’ toys, board games, or anything else piling up in your living room. The ottoman style guide is a solid starting point.

Before You Buy

Height is the first number to nail down. An ottoman should sit at roughly the same level as your sofa’s seat cushion, or an inch or two below it. Too short and it’s a stretch; too tall and it throws off the room’s proportion. Most ottomans land between 15 and 20 inches, so measuring your sofa’s seat height before you shop saves a lot of guesswork.

Size matters nearly as much. Keep your ottoman at about half to two-thirds the length of your sofa to stay proportional without blocking traffic. Leave around 18 inches between the ottoman and the sofa for comfortable leg room. For smaller spaces, a storage ottoman cuts down on extra side tables since it covers multiple needs in one footprint. The stylish storage solutions guide has practical ideas for making tight spaces feel less tight.

Frequently Asked Ottoman Questions

What is a storage ottoman? It’s an ottoman with a hollow interior and a hinged or removable lid. It works as a footrest, a casual seat, and hidden storage in a single piece.

What is an ottoman in furniture? An ottoman is an upholstered footrest or seat, usually placed in front of a sofa or chair. Some are purely decorative; others double as storage.

How tall should an ottoman be? Aim for an inch or two below your sofa’s seat cushion height, generally between 15 and 20 inches. This keeps it comfortable as a footrest without throwing off the room’s proportion.

How big should an ottoman be in front of a couch? Half to two-thirds the sofa’s length is a reliable range. Allow 18 inches of clearance between the ottoman and sofa for comfortable leg room.

What material holds up best on an ottoman? Performance fabric is the most practical for everyday use. It resists stains, cleans up easily, and holds up with kids and pets. Leather is low-maintenance but shows scratches more in busy households.

Are ottomans good for small living rooms? Yes, especially storage ottomans. They handle seating and storage in one piece, reducing the need for extra furniture. Pairing one with a loveseat or a compact sofa keeps the room functional without crowding it.

How much does an ottoman cost at Ashley Canada? Ottomans are available across a range of price points to suit most budgets. Financing options are available if you’d prefer to spread the cost over time.

Browse Ashley Canada’s full ottoman selection online, or visit one of our 39 store locations to see them in person.