Guide
Ottoman coffee table: how to choose one that actually works
An ottoman coffee table is asked to do two contradictory things: be soft enough for your feet and firm enough for a glass of wine. Most compromise on one or the other. Here's how to judge them — and what to look for if you'd rather not compromise at all.
The three types, honestly compared
Fully upholstered ottoman. Lovely for feet, hopeless for cups. Anything you set down needs a tray, and the tray is one more thing to store, shuffle and knock over.
Storage ottoman with a lift-off lid.The lid is usually a padded board, so it still isn't a proper surface — and to reach the storage you have to clear everything off the top first.
Flip-top ottoman. The top rotates 180 degrees: cushion on one face, a solid, level tabletop on the other. No tray, no lifting, no compromise — you simply turn it over when the takeaway arrives. This is what we build.
What to check before you buy
- Size. Roughly two-thirds the length of your sofa looks right in most rooms. Leave about 40cm of walking space around it.
- Height. Within a couple of centimetres of your sofa's seat height. Too low and it's uncomfortable underfoot; too high and it dominates the room.
- Surface stability. Press a corner of the tabletop. If it rocks or flexes, drinks will end up on the rug.
- Fabric. Choose something you can clean. Tight-weave upholstery survives family life far better than a loose, delicate weave.
- Frame and fill. Ask what's inside. A properly built frame with good-quality fill keeps its shape for years rather than sagging into a dip.
How a flip-top works
A recessed brass cup-pull handle sits on one side. Take hold of it and the top swings through a smooth 180-degree rotation — cushion side becomes tabletop side. There's nothing to lift out, nowhere to store a spare lid, and it takes about a second. Feet up while the film starts; drinks down when the food arrives.
Common questions
Can you put drinks on an ottoman?
Not safely on an upholstered top — glasses tip and rings soak in. You need a rigid, level surface: either a tray, or a solid tabletop built into the piece.
Is an ottoman better than a coffee table?
In a smaller sitting room, one piece that does both jobs beats two that each do one. That's the case for a flip-top: footstool and coffee table in the same footprint.
Can I choose the fabric?
Yes — every Pappa Pouffe is made to order in our Northamptonshire workshop, so you pick the fabric, colour and dimensions.
See the flip in person
The PP Original starts at £400, made to order in Britain. Have a look at the range, or join the pre-order list.
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