Footstools vs coffee tables – the great debate

There are some age-old decisions in the home … tiles or wood floor? Curtains or blinds? Carpet or rugs?

Today we’re tackling a big one … footstool or coffee table?

In today’s market there are so many options for each of these items - plus of course the opportunity to commission bespoke pieces, which only fuels the debate!

The great news is that there’s no hard and fast rule, and certainly no right or wrong way of furnishing your room. We will give you a peek into some of the thought processes that we go through in the studio, when we’re designing a space that will feature either a footstool or a coffee table … and sometimes both!

The coffee table

Coffee tables certainly have some seniority in this debate, as low wooden tables first appeared in the 16th century. Their initial purpose was pure functionality: a stable surface, made of a very enduring material.

There is a great tale that accompanies early commercial coffee table production; a Mr Stuart Foote crafted a centrepiece for his wife’s upcoming tea party by trimming down the legs on a dining table. What a helpful chap! He named it “the coffee table” – and surely his role at the Imperial Furniture Company, in Michigan, then went from strength to strength!  

Nowadays the coffee table has evolved hugely from a cut-down dining table. The range of shapes, sizes, materials (timber, glass, metal and stone, to name a few) and designs is vast, so there will certainly be something out there that suits your space.

When a coffee table works best

A coffee table really works when you need to open up a space. Being able to see through the structure (be it between the legs of a raised wooden or stone table, or through the whole piece if it’s made of glass) makes the item feel visually “lighter”. You can see more of the room, so therefore it feels bigger. Nesting tables in tight spaces are an even bigger win – separate and re-stack them as needed – so neat and tidy!

If you love having decorative pieces on display at home, then a coffee table will likely be a better option. Firm surfaces, and the additional space afforded by shelves and/or drawers will give you storage for books, ornaments, candles, glassware and more.

Hard surfaces are also a practical choice for board games and puzzles. We always ask our clients about their lifestyle, family and hobbies, as every room we design really has to work for how they live day-to-day.

The footstool

The footstool really became popular in the 18th century, when a long, low footstool called a fender stool was placed in front of the fireplace. It was long enough for all of the family members to place their feet and warm them up – and when you think how large families often were back then, it’s quite an image!

Footstools – as the name suggests – are designed to have feet on them. They are upholstered to allow for maximum comfort, and the fabric used must be hardwearing. Wool, heavyweight linen, velvet, leather and suede are all great options – and mean that the style of the stool can be completely adapted. A tweed, deeply buttoned footstool with turned oak legs is a very different beast to an oversized jute pouffe!

We create a lot of completely bespoke footstools – the choice of leg style, material, colour, upholstery fabric, size, height, and whether or not it provides any storage means that no two are ever the same!

When a footstool works best

If you’re looking for complete versatility from your furniture, then a footstool can offer this. It can create a chaise when butted up to the sofa, which is great for relaxing evenings or movie nights. It can offer extra seating as a bench – ideal for family gatherings and Christmases. It can provide a surface as a makeshift table, and if not too soft or “pillowy”, then it can hold a tray of drinks or food.

If there are children in the home, then a footstool can feel like a safer option as there are no sharp corners to worry about. We can help guide you towards a family-friendly fabric! Spills and stains are often a key worry.

Footstools can also be designed with castors, so they can be also moved around a space with ease.

Sitting on the fence

We simply couldn’t be forced to choose between a footstool or a coffee table … but for those (like us) who are truly on the fence, there is a new breed of coffee tables/footstools emerging! The clever designers at George Smith and Sims Hilditch have created the “Emma” ottoman. It definitely occupies that space between coffee table and footstool. Timber frame, storage underneath, and an upholstered top. Now there truly is something for everyone!

At Willow and Bert, we can help you with all your interior design needs. If you’d like our help with your home, get in touch and we can support you to create something you love.