Cocktail Ottoman Roundup

As Henry becomes more mobile I have started looking for a good cocktail ottoman to replace my brass and glass coffee table a.k.a. The Baby Guillotine.  We use lots of ottomans like this in our designs for homes with children as they are a safer options than coffee tables in spaces where kids play a lot.  But finding the right one can be hard- it’s taken me months to decide on one! So here are a roundup of some of my favorites from all price points- and some tips on what to look for and materials to consider:

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When choosing an ottoman here are some buying tips:

• Make sure you choose the right size and height for your other furniture- the top should be about the same as the seat height of your sofa and be the same size and shape of a coffee table- if you have a narrow space consider a bench as it may fit better than the wider ottoman options you see.
• Make sure the material is durable and a different texture than that of the other upholstered furniture.  Leather is a great option for durability if your other pieces are fabric.  Outdoor fabrics in a pattern or weave can look great paired with solid furniture and also stand up to wear and tear.
• If you want to use a tray on top to store magazines, remotes and such make sure the top is flat not curved so it sits flat- otherwise it will always wobble and make you crazy.
• If the piece has casters on it, make sure they lock to avoid it rolling when you put your feet up.