Can ottoman be used for seating? Yes, but the answer depends on the ottoman. Some are built mainly as footrests, while others are sturdy enough to work as extra seating when guests arrive, at the end of a bed, in an entryway, or beside a sofa. The difference comes down to height, firmness, size, stability and how the ottoman is made.
An ottoman can be one of the most flexible pieces in a living room because it can shift between roles. It might hold a tray, support your feet, soften the room, or give someone a quick place to sit. The key is choosing a design that suits the job, rather than assuming every upholstered ottoman will perform the same way.
At MOMU, ottomans are made in Melbourne with custom upholstery, considered proportions and guidance across fabrics, leathers and room planning. If seating is part of the brief, the ottoman should be planned with support, fabric durability and scale in mind.
When an Ottoman Works Well as Seating
An ottoman works best as seating when it is used occasionally, rather than as the main seat in the room. It can be perfect when extra guests arrive, when someone needs a quick perch near the sofa, or when a bedroom needs a place to sit while putting on shoes.
In a living room, an ottoman can provide flexible seating without adding another armchair. This is useful in compact rooms where a full chair would take up too much space, or in open-plan homes where the seating arrangement needs to stay adaptable.
In a bedroom, a bench-style ottoman can work beautifully at the end of the bed. It can provide a place to sit, fold clothes, or hold cushions at night. In an entry area, a narrow upholstered bench can offer a practical place to pause without crowding the walkway.
For everyday seating, choose carefully. The ottoman should feel firm enough, stable enough and high enough for comfortable use. A very soft footrest may feel pleasant under your legs but may not give enough support for sitting.
The Ottoman Seating Checklist
Before using an ottoman as a seat, check these details. They will help you decide whether the piece is suited to seating or better kept as a footrest or coffee-table alternative.
1. Check the Height
An ottoman used for seating should not be too low. If it sits much lower than a standard dining chair or sofa seat, it may feel awkward to sit on and harder to stand from. For occasional living-room seating, a height close to sofa seat height often works well. Bench ottomans may sit slightly higher, which can be useful in bedrooms and entries.
2. Test the Firmness
A seating ottoman should have enough firmness to support body weight without collapsing. If the top is too soft, the sitter may sink in and feel unstable. A firmer upholstered top is usually better for sitting, especially if the ottoman will be used often.
3. Look at the Base
Stability matters. The ottoman should sit flat on the floor and should not wobble when weight is placed on one side. A broad base or well-balanced frame is safer and more practical than a narrow or lightweight design.
4. Consider the Shape
Rectangular and bench ottomans are often the easiest to use as seating because they offer a clear sitting surface. Large square ottomans can also work well, especially in living rooms. Round ottomans can be used for seating too, but they are usually better for casual, occasional use.
5. Choose Durable Upholstery
If people will sit on the ottoman, the fabric needs to handle regular contact. Clothing, hands, feet, trays, children and pets can all affect upholstery. Textured fabrics, leather, boucle, chenille, velvet and neutral colours can all be considered depending on the room and use.
Where Can You Use an Ottoman as a Seat?
In Front of a Sofa
An ottoman in front of a sofa can act as a footrest most days and extra seating when guests arrive. This works best when the ottoman is firm, stable and easy to move around.
Beside an Armchair
Placed beside an armchair, an ottoman can become a flexible second seat or a place to rest a book, tray or throw. It should not block the walkway or make the chair difficult to access.
At the End of a Bed
A bench ottoman is especially useful at the end of a bed. It can be used for sitting, dressing, folding laundry or holding spare cushions. Check that there is enough space to walk around it comfortably.
In an Entry Area
A narrow upholstered bench or ottoman can give an entryway a practical place to sit while putting on shoes. Choose a fabric that can handle frequent use and consider darker or textured upholstery in busy areas.
In an Open-Plan Living Room
In an open-plan space, an ottoman can provide extra seating without adding visual weight. It can sit near a modular sofa, move when needed and help the room stay flexible.
How to Choose the Best Ottoman for Seating
The best ottoman for seating depends on how often it will be used. If it is only for the occasional guest, a large square or round ottoman can work well. If it will be used regularly, a bench or rectangular ottoman is usually more practical because it gives a clearer sitting position.
Think about who will sit on it. Children may use a low ottoman easily, but adults usually need more height and support. If the ottoman will be used by different people, choose a stable design with a supportive top and enough surface area.
Also think about the surrounding furniture. An ottoman should work with the sofa, rug, coffee table, armchairs and walkways. If it is too large, it can make the room difficult to move through. If it is too small, it may not feel useful as seating.
Ottoman Seating Mistakes to Avoid
The first mistake is using a very soft ottoman as a regular seat. A soft top may be ideal for resting feet, but it can feel unstable when someone sits on it. Seating needs more support.
The second mistake is choosing an ottoman that is too low. Low seating can be uncomfortable for adults, especially if used often. If seating is part of the brief, height should be considered early.
The third mistake is ignoring fabric wear. A seating ottoman receives more pressure and friction than a purely decorative piece. Choose upholstery that suits the level of use.
The fourth mistake is placing the ottoman where it interrupts movement. Extra seating should make the room more useful, not harder to move through. Check the walking space on every side before ordering.
MOMU Ottoman Examples for Seating
Once you know how often the ottoman will be used as a seat, it becomes easier to compare designs. These MOMU ottomans offer different seating possibilities, from bench-style options to larger upholstered pieces for living rooms.
1. Omni Bench
Product Description
Omni Bench is one of the most practical choices when seating is part of the brief. Its long, narrow shape works well at the end of a bed, in an entry area, along a wall or opposite a sofa.
Because it has a bench-style form, Omni gives a clear sitting surface without taking up too much depth. It is useful when the room needs an upholstered seat that feels lighter than an armchair or sofa.
Size Options
L 150 x W 50 x H 45 cm
Features
Bench-style upholstered form
Useful for bedrooms, entries and living rooms
Custom fabric and leather options
Practical seating height
Made in Melbourne
Full 10-year warranty
2. Sherrie Ottoman
Product Description
Sherrie is a rectangular ottoman that can work as a footrest, occasional seat or soft table surface with a tray. Its longer form makes it practical in front of a straight sofa or along a living-room seating zone.
Sherrie is a strong option when you want flexible seating without choosing a bulky chair. It can be upholstered to match the sofa or selected in a related fabric for contrast.
Size Options
L 130 x W 80 x H 35 cm
Features
Rectangular upholstered form
Useful as footrest or occasional seating
Custom fabric and leather options
Works with sofas or as a standalone piece
Made in Melbourne
10-year structural warranty
3. Harvey Ottoman
Product Description
Harvey is a large square ottoman that can act as a coffee-table alternative, generous footrest or occasional seating surface. It suits larger living rooms and modular sofa settings where scale matters.
Harvey is useful when a room needs a soft central piece that can do more than one job. For seating, its broad top gives flexibility, especially when guests need a casual place to sit.
Size Options
L 100 x W 100 x H 36 cm
L 120 x W 120 x H 36 cm
L 135 x W 135 x H 36 cm
Features
Large square upholstered form
Can work as occasional seating
Useful as a coffee-table alternative
Custom fabric and leather options
Made in Melbourne
10-year structural warranty
4. Como Ottoman
Product Description
Como is a round ottoman that can soften a living room and offer flexible occasional seating. Its curved shape works well in rooms with straight sofas, square rugs or structured modular layouts.
Como is best for casual seating, footrest use and softening the room. The larger sizes can provide a useful upholstered surface in open-plan living areas.
Size Options
D 90 x H 36 cm
D 120 x H 36 cm
D 150 x H 36 cm
Features
Round upholstered profile
Useful for casual seating
Custom fabric and leather options
Works with sofas and modular sofas
Made in Melbourne
10-year structural warranty
5. Felix Ottoman
Product Description
Felix Ottoman is a flexible upholstered piece that can pair with a sofa or armchair. It can be used as a footrest, casual seat or soft surface with a tray.
Felix is useful when the room needs an ottoman that is easy to place and does not visually dominate the setting. It can be made in fabric or leather options to suit the sofa and surrounding furniture.
Size Options
L 90 x W 65 cm
L 120 x W 65 cm
L 150 x W 65 cm
Features
Flexible upholstered ottoman
Useful as footrest or occasional seating
Custom fabric and leather options
Multiple length options
Made in Melbourne
10-year structural warranty
6. Weekender Ottoman
Product Description
Weekender Ottoman is designed to pair naturally with relaxed sofa settings. It can work as a movable footrest, casual extra seat or soft surface in a family room.
Weekender Ottoman suits media spaces and living rooms where comfort and flexibility matter. It is a useful option when you want extra seating without adding another large piece of furniture.
Size Options
L 90 x W 65 cm
L 120 x W 65 cm
L 150 x W 65 cm
Features
Pairs well with relaxed sofa settings
Useful as a movable footrest or casual seat
Custom fabric and leather options
Multiple length options
Made in Melbourne
10-year structural warranty
How to Style an Ottoman Used for Seating
If the ottoman will be used as seating, avoid covering the entire top with heavy styling. A tray can be useful, but it should be easy to remove when someone needs to sit. Keep styling simple so the ottoman remains practical.
A fabric ottoman can match the sofa for a quieter look, or it can be upholstered in a related tone to add depth. If the sofa is plain, a textured ottoman can bring interest. If the sofa is already highly textured, a simpler ottoman fabric may work better.
For rooms with children or frequent guests, choose upholstery that is comfortable to sit on and easy to live with. The ottoman should support the way the room is actually used, not only how it looks when freshly arranged.
How MOMU Makes Ottomans for Everyday Flexibility
An ottoman that may be used for seating needs thoughtful construction. It should feel stable, supportive and suitable for regular contact. MOMU ottomans are made in Melbourne with custom upholstery options and design guidance for different room uses.
MOMU uses sustainable materials, including sustainably sourced Australian kiln-dried hardwood frames, GECA-certified foams and Oeko-Tex certified Dacron fibre made from over 99% recycled bottles. Customers can also read more about MOMU’s craftsmanship and sustainability approach.
If you are planning a full living-room setting, MOMU can help coordinate ottomans with sofas, modular sofas and armchairs. This makes it easier to choose the right height, shape, fabric and scale for both seating and daily comfort.
Made in Melbourne
Manufactured locally by skilled furniture makers.
Seating Potential
Choose supportive shapes for occasional sitting.
Custom Upholstery
Select fabric or leather with showroom guidance.
10-Year Warranty
Structural warranty support for long-term confidence.
FAQs
Can ottoman be used for seating every day?
Yes, if it is firm, stable, supportive and the right height. For daily seating, a bench-style or rectangular ottoman is usually more practical than a very soft footrest.
What type of ottoman is best for seating?
Bench ottomans, rectangular ottomans and larger square ottomans are usually best for seating because they offer a more stable and usable sitting surface.
Is a round ottoman good for sitting?
A round ottoman can work for casual seating, especially in larger sizes, but it is usually better for occasional use than as a main seat.
How high should an ottoman be for seating?
It should be close to a comfortable seat height. If it is too low, adults may find it awkward to sit down and stand up. A bench ottoman may sit slightly higher for better seating use.
Can an ottoman replace a chair?
An ottoman can replace a chair for occasional seating, but it may not offer the back support needed for long sitting. For extended comfort, a sofa or armchair is usually better.
Can MOMU ottomans be customised?
Yes. MOMU ottomans can be upholstered in fabric or leather, and sizing can be discussed depending on the selected design.
Are MOMU ottomans made locally?
Yes. MOMU ottomans are made in Melbourne, with the upholstery workshop located beside the Bentleigh East showroom.
Final Thoughts
An ottoman can absolutely be used for seating, but it needs to be the right kind of ottoman. Firmness, height, stability, shape and upholstery all matter. If seating is part of the plan, choose a design that supports sitting rather than one made only for resting feet.
If you are planning an ottoman for a living room, bedroom or entry area, visit MOMU to compare shapes, fabrics and sizes with the team. A well-chosen ottoman can bring comfort, flexibility and extra seating into the home without adding unnecessary bulk.
Contact Us
Phone
Our customer care team is available Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm (AEST). Call 1300 052 495 for assistance.
Email
Contact Us at enquiry@momu.com.au.
Visit Our Showroom
12 Ardena Ct, Bentleigh East VIC 3165
Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
All other times and virtual appointments can be booked by arrangement.
Customer parking is available directly in front of the showroom entrance.
Speak With Our Team
If you are considering a made-to-order ottoman for your home, visit our Bentleigh East showroom to experience MOMU designs in person. Discuss sizing, fabric options, comfort preferences and lead times with our team.
Easily accessible from nearby Brighton, Hampton, and Sandringham. It's a straightforward drive south from Richmond and South Yarra, and the drive from Kew, Balwyn, and the northern suburbs, including Fitzroy, Thornbury, Ivanhoe, and Northcote, is simple. Visit the MOMU showroom at 12 Ardena Ct, Bentleigh East VIC 3165. You can find MOMU here in Google Maps.
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