Ottoman Sizes and Dimensions: Footstools, Cocktail Ottomans, Benches and Poufs
Standard sizes for each kind of ottoman, and the height and width rules for using one as a footrest, a coffee table or a bench at the end of a bed.
A footstool ottoman for one chair is usually 18-24 in (46-61 cm) square and 15-18 in (38-46 cm) high. Cocktail ottomans used as coffee tables are 30-48 in (76-122 cm) across, and storage benches are 36-54 in (91-137 cm) long and 16-20 in deep. A footrest ottoman should be level with the seat or up to 2 in lower.
- Footstool
- 18-24 in square
- Height
- 15-18 in (38-46 cm)
- Cocktail ottoman
- 30-48 in (76-122 cm)
- Pouf
- 16-22 in diameter
On this page
Ottoman sizes by type
An ottoman's size depends on its job. A footstool serves one chair, a cocktail ottoman replaces a coffee table, and a bench sits at the end of a bed or under a window.
| Type | Size (in) | Size (cm) | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footstool (chair ottoman) | 18-24 × 16-22 | 46-61 × 41-56 | 15-18 in 38-46 cm |
| Pouf | 16-22 diameter or cube | 41-56 | 14-18 in 36-46 cm |
| Storage cube | 15-20 square | 38-51 square | 15-18 in |
| Cocktail ottoman, rectangular | 36-48 × 24-30 | 91-122 × 61-76 | 15-18 in |
| Cocktail ottoman, square | 30-42 square | 76-107 square | 15-18 in |
| Cocktail ottoman, round | 30-42 diameter | 76-107 diameter | 15-18 in |
| Storage bench | 36-54 × 16-20 | 91-137 × 41-51 | 17-20 in 43-51 cm |
| Sectional ottoman module | 28-40 square | 71-102 square | Matches seat, 16-19 in |
Sectional ottomans are made to sit flush with the sofa seats and the same depth as one module, so pushed against the sofa they turn a seat into a chaise. Buy them from the same collection: a 1 in height difference shows and is uncomfortable to lie across.
How high should an ottoman be?
The right height depends on what the ottoman does. These are the working targets.
| Use | Target height | For an 18 in seat |
|---|---|---|
| Footrest | Seat height to 2 in lower | 16-18 in 41-46 cm |
| Coffee table substitute | Within 1-2 in of the sofa seat | 16-18 in |
| Extra seating | Same as chair seats | 17-19 in 43-48 cm |
| End-of-bed bench | At or just below the mattress top | Usually 17-20 in |
| Child's seat or step | Low pouf | 12-14 in 30-36 cm |
A footrest higher than the seat lifts the knees and strains the hamstrings. One that is more than about 3 in lower lets the legs drop and gives little support. If you are matching an existing chair, measure its seat height at the front edge of the cushion with someone sitting in it, since soft seats sink 1-2 in.
Sizing a footstool for an armchair or recliner
- Width: about the chair's inner seat width, 20-24 in, or at least two-thirds of the chair's overall width so it looks in proportion.
- Depth: 16-22 in. Deeper ottomans let you shift your legs; shallower ones are easier to walk around.
- Distance: set the near edge roughly a foot from the seat, then adjust so the calves and heels carry your legs, not the backs of the knees.
- Clearance: leave 30 in or more of walkway beyond the ottoman if it sits on a traffic route.
An armchair plus footstool needs a strip of floor about 34 in wide and 58-64 in long (34 in chair depth, 6-12 in gap, 18 in ottoman). A standard recliner needs 60-72 in reclined plus about 12 in behind it, so the pair is the smaller option and can sit against a wall. See the armchair size guide for chair dimensions and the recliner guide for the comparison.
Cocktail ottomans as coffee tables
A cocktail ottoman follows the same proportions as a coffee table: about two-thirds of the sofa's length and 14-18 in from the sofa seat. Because its surface is soft, plan for a tray of at least 18 × 24 in if drinks will go on it.
| Seating | Rectangular | Round or square |
|---|---|---|
| Loveseat, 60-66 in | 36-44 × 24 in | 30-36 in |
| Sofa, 84 in | 48-56 × 24-30 in | 36-42 in |
| Sofa, 90-96 in | 54-60 × 28-30 in | 42-48 in |
| L-shaped sectional | 48 × 30 in | 36-48 in, centered on the corner |
Ottomans have one advantage over hard tables: no sharp corners, which suits rooms with toddlers. They are also lighter to move aside when the floor is needed.
End-of-bed bench and storage ottoman sizes
A bench at the foot of a bed looks right when it is a few inches narrower than the mattress on each side. It must also leave a walkway between the bench and the wall or dresser.
| Bed | Mattress width | Bench length |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 in 97 cm | 28-34 in 71-86 cm |
| Full | 54 in 137 cm | 42-48 in 107-122 cm |
| Queen | 60 in 152 cm | 48-54 in 122-137 cm |
| King or California king | 72-76 in 183-193 cm | 60-70 in 152-178 cm, or two benches |
With a 16-20 in deep bench, the foot of the bed then needs about 52-56 in to the facing wall or dresser to keep a 36 in walkway. In a tight room, skip the bench. Mattress and frame sizes are in the bed frame guide.
Walls, padding and the lid take 1-2 in from every side. A 44 × 20 × 18 in storage bench with 2 in walls holds about 40 × 16 × 14 in inside, roughly 5.2 cu ft (147 L). Check the listed interior dimensions before planning to store bedding.
Poufs and floor cushions
Poufs are 16-22 in (41-56 cm) across and 14-18 in (36-46 cm) high. Most are filled with polystyrene beads, foam or fiber, and the filled shape varies by a couple of inches with fill level. A pouf works as a footrest for a low lounge chair or as overflow seating; for a full-size floor seat, see bean bag chair sizes.
The full set of living room sizes and spacing rules is in the furniture dimensions guide, and seat heights for the sofa side of the layout are in the sofa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard height of an ottoman?
Most ottomans are 15-18 in (38-46 cm) high. A footrest ottoman should match the chair's seat height or sit up to 2 in below it, so for a typical 17-19 in seat, 15-18 in works. Ottomans used as extra seats are best at 17-19 in.
What are the dimensions of an ottoman bench?
Ottoman benches are typically 36-54 in (91-137 cm) long, 16-20 in (41-51 cm) deep and 17-20 in (43-51 cm) high. At the foot of a queen bed, a 48-54 in bench leaves a few inches of mattress showing on each side.
How big should an ottoman be for a sectional?
A cocktail ottoman in front of an L-shaped sectional is usually 36-48 in square or 36-42 in round, set 14-18 in from the seats on both sides. Size it so a seated person on either leg can reach it without leaning far forward.
What is the difference between an ottoman and a pouf?
A pouf is a soft, frameless cushion, usually round or cube-shaped and 16-22 in (41-56 cm) across, 14-18 in high. An ottoman has a frame, legs or a solid base and often a lid with storage, so it can take a tray and hold its shape as a table.
How much does a storage ottoman hold?
Measure the inside, not the outside. A 36 × 18 × 18 in storage ottoman with 2 in walls and lid has about 32 × 14 × 14 in inside, roughly 3.6 cu ft (103 L), enough for two folded throws and a bed pillow.