Storage Ottomans for Craft Supplies: How to Choose One

A good storage ottoman for craft supplies is sturdy, has a lid you can open one side at a time, and is sized to what you actually store. Get those three right and your yarn, paper pads and scissors stay within reach without living on the coffee table.

It's very common to want both a pretty living room and supplies at arm's length, so don't feel bad about wanting both. Here is how to pick the ottoman, place it, and organize the inside so it doesn't turn into a black hole.

Save

What are you storing?

Start with the supplies, not the furniture. A knitter, a watercolor painter and a sewing hobbyist need different interiors, and it's easy to buy an ottoman that looks great and then find the needles don't fit.

Measure the longest tool you own (knitting needles or a ruler, usually) and check the interior width. Then check the height of the bins you plan to use. Heavy items such as paper pads, scrapbooks or a small sewing machine need a solid base. Thin hardboard bottoms tend to bow under weight, so look at the construction, not just the upholstery.

Depth matters too. A very deep box swallows small things like scissors and needles. If you store small items, choose an ottoman that takes a tray or shallow bins. Save the deep space for blankets and bulky balls of yarn.

How big should a storage ottoman be?

If it replaces a coffee table, leave about 14-18 inches between the sofa and the ottoman. Closer than that and shins hit the frame; farther and the piece floats like an island. Keep roughly 30-36 inches of clear walkway between the ottoman and a TV stand or fireplace.

For width, aim for about two-thirds the length of the sofa. On an 84-inch sofa, that's roughly 50-55 inches, whether in one piece or a pair.

In a small room or a rental, I'd choose two cube ottomans over one long rectangle. Push them together as a table, or pull them apart for extra seats. Being able to rearrange furniture also gives you more control over the room, which is good for comfort.

Save

Which lid works best for crafters?

There are three common types, and they behave very differently when you're mid-project.

• Lift-off lids give full access, but you have to find somewhere to set the lid down. Not great for grabbing one thing from the sofa.
• Hinged lids are the standard. Look for slow-close or gas-lift hinges so the lid doesn't slam.
• Split-top lids open in halves, so you can reach the scissors while your coffee stays put on the other side.

As an architect, I'd pick the split top for a crafter. If children or curious pets are around, I recommend a hinge that holds the lid open or closes slowly, because a heavy lid dropping on fingers or paws is a real hazard.

Check the feet as well. Felt pads or rubber stoppers protect hardwood floors. If you want to roll the ottoman toward a window for better light, casters work, as long as they lock or the piece is heavy enough to stay put.

What fabric is best with pets and paint?

A craft ottoman gets opened constantly and sometimes becomes a spill zone, so durability comes first. If you have a cat, avoid looped weaves like bouclé and loose linen, since claws catch the loops and pull. Tight weaves and cut piles are safer.

• Performance velvet has no loops, and pet hair usually wipes off with a damp hand or lint roller.
• Microfiber is dense, resists scratching and is often treated to repel water.
• Performance weaves marketed as stain-resistant let you blot glue or paint water before it sets. Check the care label for what it really tolerates.

Leather and faux leather wipe clean after glue or paint-water spills. A dog with sharp nails can scratch smooth leather, though, and distressed leather hides those marks far better than a pristine finish. Bonded leather can peel with heavy use, so I'd skip it for a piece you'll use daily.

Save

How do you organize the inside?

An ottoman without a system is a bin with a lid. Treat the inside like a drawer: you should be able to open it, scan, and find what you need. If starting a project means digging, you'll start fewer projects.

Use rigid containers such as clear bins or hard-sided felt organizers. Soft bags collapse and get buried. Then layer the contents:

1. Bottom: bulky or rarely used items, like extra yarn, large paper pads or fabric.
2. Top: a shallow sliding tray resting on the inner lip, or an adjustable drawer organizer for small tools.
3. Vertical: roll fabric or vinyl sheets and stand them upright so you can pull one without disturbing the rest.

If your thread and ribbon are the messiest part, see these ribbon and thread storage ideas for containers that fit inside. For a wider look at hiding supplies in a living space, organizing a small house with no storage has more options.

Save

How do you style it so it looks like furniture?

A few small choices keep the ottoman from reading as a storage box.

• Put a solid tray on top of a fabric ottoman. It gives drinks a stable surface and breaks up the block of upholstery. Match the shape: rectangular tray on a rectangle, round on a round.
• Contrast the texture with the sofa. A linen sofa pairs well with velvet or leather, and a leather sofa with a woven fabric. An exact match tends to look like a showroom set.
• Choose legs over a base that sits flush on the floor. A strip of visible floor makes a small room feel lighter.
• Place it near a floor lamp or task light. If you knit or draw there, you need directed light.

If your crafting happens in a shared family room, styling a craft corner in a playroom shows how to keep supplies reachable and tidy at the same time. For a dedicated space, a craft closet can take the overflow your ottoman can't hold.

Save

Measure your supplies and your floor space before you shop, then spend the budget on solid hinges and a strong base. Those are the parts you'll notice every day.

Frequently asked questions