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Footstools - or pouffes - are a rather versatile addition to your lounge. They can be used with sofas, chairs and snuggle seats as well as doubling up as an extra chair for little guests. Of course, they are more likely to be used as a racing car, launch pad or stepping stone for an obstacle course if you have children.
As a guide you'll want your footstool to be at least an inch lower than your sofa so your feet aren't higher than your body. You'll also need to consider the amount of space you have and whether you want a compact footstool or a larger one that doubles up as a coffee table/Instagram prop.
The prices for footstools do vary, ranging from less than £50 up to several hundred pounds. But do you get what you pay for? We will attempt to point out why some footstools cost a lot more than others.
Cheaper footstools are usually made from cheaper materials (for example polystyrene beans instead of foam and fibre), but many of the low-cost ones will still do the job. At the higher end of the price range, you'll find footstools made from higher quality cover material e.g. velvet instead of faux leather. This will provide greater strength and resilience. Some come with a 15 year frame guarantee to prove the point that they are built to last.
Without further waffle, here's our five best footstools in the UK.
As a guide you'll want your footstool to be at least an inch lower than your sofa so your feet aren't higher than your body. You'll also need to consider the amount of space you have and whether you want a compact footstool or a larger one that doubles up as a coffee table/Instagram prop.
The prices for footstools do vary, ranging from less than £50 up to several hundred pounds. But do you get what you pay for? We will attempt to point out why some footstools cost a lot more than others.
Cheaper footstools are usually made from cheaper materials (for example polystyrene beans instead of foam and fibre), but many of the low-cost ones will still do the job. At the higher end of the price range, you'll find footstools made from higher quality cover material e.g. velvet instead of faux leather. This will provide greater strength and resilience. Some come with a 15 year frame guarantee to prove the point that they are built to last.
Without further waffle, here's our five best footstools in the UK.
1. SOHO OTTOMAN BY DUSK - £249
Dusk has a good choice of colours in this ottoman footstool
Dusk's footstools are great value for money. They start at £139 and have more than 30 different types of footstool to choose from. The Soho footstool is a good option for people who need more storage space or for those who want to hide away the books and toys at the end of the day.
There is a choice of eight different colours for this footstool including green, orange and cream (otherwise known as 'olive green' and 'burnt orange').
You will pay slightly more for a few of the colours (around £10 - £30). As with the John Lewis Bailey, you can also get matching sofas and arm chairs in the Soho range if you want a matching set.
So what is it made from? I hear you ask.
The filling of the seat is a mixture of foam and pocket springs. That's a pretty high quality and plush manufacturing method which will prevent the top of the footstool from sagging. The only downside is the legs are made from plastic, but you can barely see the legs because they are only 1cm in height. Anyone inspecting your footstool's feet that closely probably shouldn't be allowed in your house.
The reviews for the Soho Ottoman footstool are very good, scoring 4.9/5. Many of the comments state how spacious the storage space is and how stylish it looks.
For this price, the storage and the great customer reviews, we think the Soho ottoman footstool deserves a place in our top five.
There is a choice of eight different colours for this footstool including green, orange and cream (otherwise known as 'olive green' and 'burnt orange').
You will pay slightly more for a few of the colours (around £10 - £30). As with the John Lewis Bailey, you can also get matching sofas and arm chairs in the Soho range if you want a matching set.
So what is it made from? I hear you ask.
The filling of the seat is a mixture of foam and pocket springs. That's a pretty high quality and plush manufacturing method which will prevent the top of the footstool from sagging. The only downside is the legs are made from plastic, but you can barely see the legs because they are only 1cm in height. Anyone inspecting your footstool's feet that closely probably shouldn't be allowed in your house.
The reviews for the Soho Ottoman footstool are very good, scoring 4.9/5. Many of the comments state how spacious the storage space is and how stylish it looks.
For this price, the storage and the great customer reviews, we think the Soho ottoman footstool deserves a place in our top five.
2. ELIZA VELVET POUFFE FROM DUNELM - £35
Dunelm has 9 different colours of this Eliza pouffe.
What a billy bargain!
This Dunelm Eliza Pouffe certainly looks a lot more expensive than it is. It's a really good option if you are on a tight budget or are limited on space. It would also make a great seat for a small child.
It is upholstered in a rose velvet made from recycled polyester and is available in eight different colours including olive, navy, brown and gold.
As we mention in our beginners' guide to buying a sofa, polyester is great for people with pets and families, as the material is durable and easy to clean. Obviously it is a synthetic material, but this is a cheaper pouffe/footstool and will do the job nicely. The filling is polystyrene beads which isn't as eco friendly as natural fibres but will still provide soft support.
The reviews for the Eliza pouffe are excellent with a score of 4.8/5 from over 200 reviews. Comments include how soft, stylish and comfortable the pouffe is.
At this price and with the positive reviews, we think this is a really good value pouffe.
This Dunelm Eliza Pouffe certainly looks a lot more expensive than it is. It's a really good option if you are on a tight budget or are limited on space. It would also make a great seat for a small child.
It is upholstered in a rose velvet made from recycled polyester and is available in eight different colours including olive, navy, brown and gold.
As we mention in our beginners' guide to buying a sofa, polyester is great for people with pets and families, as the material is durable and easy to clean. Obviously it is a synthetic material, but this is a cheaper pouffe/footstool and will do the job nicely. The filling is polystyrene beads which isn't as eco friendly as natural fibres but will still provide soft support.
The reviews for the Eliza pouffe are excellent with a score of 4.8/5 from over 200 reviews. Comments include how soft, stylish and comfortable the pouffe is.
At this price and with the positive reviews, we think this is a really good value pouffe.
3. BUTTON FOOTSTOOL BY JOHN LEWIS - £375
The John Lewis Button footstool is available in 39 different fabrics and colours
This Button Footstool from John Lewis has some rather nice tufted detailing. It is at the higher end, price wise but you do feel that you are getting quality when you buy from John Lewis.
As with the Bailey footstool above, you can choose from 39 colours and fabrics as part of the John Lewis 'Design your own' service. You can expect to pay up to £150 more for some of the colours and fabrics so choose carefully. Don't forget you can also order swatches of the material beforehand to check it will match the new curtains.
You can also buy a chaise longue to match, which is good news for Wet Leg fans. There is a larger version of the same button footstool from £425.
So what are you getting for the extra money? The filling of the footstool is foam and fibre so is more likely to retain its shape. The legs of the stool are removable so you can adjust the height.
There aren't many reviews but the customers who have left a review are pleased with the quality, the stain resistant material and the design details. They scored the footstool 5/5.
Overall, this is a good spec for the money, particularly if you can grab is during a sale.
As with the Bailey footstool above, you can choose from 39 colours and fabrics as part of the John Lewis 'Design your own' service. You can expect to pay up to £150 more for some of the colours and fabrics so choose carefully. Don't forget you can also order swatches of the material beforehand to check it will match the new curtains.
You can also buy a chaise longue to match, which is good news for Wet Leg fans. There is a larger version of the same button footstool from £425.
So what are you getting for the extra money? The filling of the footstool is foam and fibre so is more likely to retain its shape. The legs of the stool are removable so you can adjust the height.
There aren't many reviews but the customers who have left a review are pleased with the quality, the stain resistant material and the design details. They scored the footstool 5/5.
Overall, this is a good spec for the money, particularly if you can grab is during a sale.
4. Kaikoo Moroccan Faux Leather Footstool - ARGOS - £45
This Argos faux leather footstool gets very good reviews.
If you prefer the Moroccan style of footstool made from faux leather, then you might like this bargain from Argos. It is very reasonably priced and comes in a choice of two colours, brown or black (not exactly a wide choice, I admit).
This footstool is an easy clean option thanks to the PVC faux leather. Fake leather won't impress the neighbours at a dinner party (unless it's a vegan dinner party) but it is practical and cheap.
You also have the option of refilling the footstool with polystyrene beads if it becomes flat over time, via the zip on the base of the item.
There are over 700 reviews at the time of writing and they score this footstool 4.7/5. Reviewers say it is good value for money and is hard wearing.
Of course you could spend a lot more on a Moroccan style footstool but we think this Argos option deserves a place in our top five for value, reviews and wearability.
This footstool is an easy clean option thanks to the PVC faux leather. Fake leather won't impress the neighbours at a dinner party (unless it's a vegan dinner party) but it is practical and cheap.
You also have the option of refilling the footstool with polystyrene beads if it becomes flat over time, via the zip on the base of the item.
There are over 700 reviews at the time of writing and they score this footstool 4.7/5. Reviewers say it is good value for money and is hard wearing.
Of course you could spend a lot more on a Moroccan style footstool but we think this Argos option deserves a place in our top five for value, reviews and wearability.
