Bed Arena's Guide to Buying a Footstool

Bed Arena's Guide to buying a Footstool

At Bed Arena, we are all about matching the utmost comfort with practical solutions. And that includes footstools! These items are now enjoying renewed popularity, not just because they are ideal for resting tired feet but also thanks to doubling as a storage container. In this guide, we explore these types of furniture and what you should consider before buying one.

Footstools explained

Footstools date back as far as ancient Egypt and their design has remained much the same ever since. The footstool is a piece of furniture which is primarily used to lift up the feet. More traditional models are short, wide and with four legs or castors, with the top part upholstered and padded.

Storage footstalls are also available, which are similar to the ottoman concept, where there is a useful storage space underneath where the feet rest. Nowadays, footstools come in different shapes and sizes, with distinctive designs and fabrics to choose from.

Before buying one, below are some of the factors you need to consider.

Firstly, as with any piece of furniture, make sure you have enough space for the footstool. It might be a relatively small item, but it could easily become a nuisance in the wrong setting.

You need to consider how it would affect the flow of the room when in chosen position. If it is going to complement a sofa, don’t forget to take into account the space between that and the footstool. In other words, you should be able to sit back on the sofa and fully extend your legs.

A footstool, as we have mentioned, can be more than something to put your feet on. Indeed, footstools can add so much value to your living space due to their multiple uses.

You should also think about how you want to use it.

How you intend to use it will often determine the type of footstool you choose, especially if you plan to use it for storage purposes as well. By all means go for a personal statement piece, to wow your visitors, but make sure your preferred style works in its intended space.

Once you have worked out what the footstool will be used for, make sure you select a fabric that will give you the durability you need. Of course, your choice of fabric should complement the surrounding colours and patterns, but also bear in mind the footstool will need to withstand constant rubbing.

We therefore recommend going for something that is hard wearing material that can withstand rubbing for longer before it starts to show signs of wear or even luxurious soft matt velvet, cotton and linen, all of which are naturally resistant to bobbling which can result from daily friction.