A coffee table and an ottoman are two different pieces of furniture. They do, however, share the traits of being compact and providing the same tasks as tables, storage solutions, and decorative pieces. Because of their similarities, they are both appealing, especially if you're looking for compact, flexible pieces of furniture for your living rooms.
If you have the space, you can have the best of both worlds. However, not everyone has the opportunity to have both. So, to help you decide which is best for you, we'll go through the benefits and drawbacks of each and how they can be used in your home.
Coffee Tables
A coffee table is a small, low table in the middle of a seating area that typically matches the couch or sofa seat height. The prime function of a coffee table is convenience; it's where you keep your remote controls, books and periodicals, and anything else you want closer to the sofa like snacks and drinks during a binge-watch session. And as a bonus, certain types of coffee tables may have smaller shelves or drawers to help you hide clutter.
But before you decide, there are some considerations to take in mind, including::
- Style: Coffee tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes and design styles, so it's easy to find one that matches your overall living room design.
- Stability: The most obvious advantage is right there in the name — it provides a stable surface for beverages such as your morning cup of coffee.
- Easy to clean: When spills inevitably occur, they are simple to wipe down without causing long-term harm to the table (use a coaster to protect wood surfaces!).
- Durable: Most coffee tables are used with glass, wood, metal, or marble, which are all long-lasting materials. And without fabric, there's no fraying or tearing of the fabric.
Cons
Coffee tables can be a great feature in your home, but there are some things to be cautious about. The first is visible storage. It's only natural for keys, wallets, sunglasses, papers, and dishes to gravitate to a surface in a living room. While coffee tables are an additional surface to hold your essentials, they are usually in plain view. As a result, your coffee table can potentially look cluttered and crowded.
Another thing to consider is coffee tables can be hefty. If you are someone who likes to rearrange your furniture often, pulling a heavy coffee table across the floor can potentially damage your flooring. Plus, if you move often, then it's one more thing you need help moving.
And the most known drawback of coffee tables is that they are not child-friendly. Large and robust coffee tables are not known for being friendly to children or animals who run around them. They've also been known to take out an unaware toe or shin on adults. So, if you want a safer living room space, an ottoman might be for you.
Ottomans
An ottoman is a low, upholstered, backless piece of furniture that can be sat upon, used as a footstool, or as a place to hold your drinks. Ottomans come in a variety of forms and sizes, and the pattern selections for the upholstery are virtually endless. They are usually square or rectangular in shape and come as a pair with a matching chair, but they can also be purchased separately. Here are some of the perks you can expect from an ottoman:
- Style: Ottomans add texture and softness to a space. It can also break up an overly structured or formal setting and bring a touch of softness to a room.
- Safety: Ottomans feature rounded edges and softer materials, so you don't have to worry about injury to children, pets, or toes.
- Flexibility: Have more guests than you expected? Ottomans can double as extra seating.
- Storage: Some ottomans offer hidden storage options that make cleaning up the clutter or storing extra blankets easier.
Cons
Ottomans are relaxing and comfortable, but there are a few things to consider before buying one instead of a coffee table. For instance, ottomans can be rather big. So a plush or large ottoman may appear bulky in a living room that is already crammed with huge pieces of furniture. Meaning if you have a tiny space, an ottoman might not be ideal, particularly if you'd want to use it as a multifunctional piece rather than a stationary one.
Another thing to consider is cleaning an ottoman can be quite tedious, especially given the severity of the spill or damage. Due to its upholstered nature, an ottoman will also require more frequent cleaning than a coffee table and will wear out sooner due to heavy use as seating and storage. So, you may have to reupholster it or buy a new one sooner than you would need to replace a coffee table.
Lastly, because ottomans are typically designed as a part of a set, it does make it a challenge to find a singular ottoman that matches your design style in your living room, especially if you want a patterned design.
Which Is Right for You?
When deciding between a coffee table or ottoman, consider these things first: space, needs, and style. Your space should allow at least 16 to18 inches between a coffee table and/or ottoman and any adjacent furniture. So, make sure to measure your available space.
Then take into account your need for storage. Do you need something to fit bulky items? Maybe you should look for an ottoman with storage. Do you need something to fit everyday stuff like remotes or magazines? Perhaps a coffee table is more suited for you.
From there, you can decide which will fit into your style choices for your living room. So ottoman or coffee table, at the end of the day, it's up to what you think will suit your living room best.
For the Look You Want
Regardless of whether you need an ottoman or a coffee table, Great Bend Appliance Center has the piece that will work perfectly for your room. Come create your dream living room with the great brands and great styles found at our store! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to give us a call!