Footstools are great in the home for many reasons, so if you don’t already possess one, consider a large footstool as your next furniture purchase.

Footstools are available in a large range of sizes and finishes. They often consist of four short legs and a fabric top, but some are like filled shapes of fabric such as the Moroccan Pouffe. Legs can be metal or wooden and pretty much any type of fabric can be used for the covering.

The main use of a footstool is generally to rest your feet on – this is of benefit for anyone wanting to put their feet up, children who’s feet don’t touch the ground yet when sat down, and people with a leg injury needing to take weight off their limb.

If you buy a footstool with legs, it can also be used to help anyone reaching up to high shelving (make sure you test the strength and stability before buying if you think you will want this function).

Footstools can also be used as a table – great for leaving a few magazines and books on. Obviously if you are looking for functionality as a table consider whether you need the stool to be level and hard (which it would need to be to rest drinks on).

Storage can also be created with these items of furniture so in this case, the larger the stool the better. Having a space to store away clutter is really useful, particularly when the storage item is also giving you extra uses.

If you need extra seating in your house then a large footstool can come in very handy, although not for anyone who needs back support. Having the optional extra seating is great when you have people over and then for the times when you have fewer people around, you have your good old foot rest to help you relax, which is better than cluttering up the room with extra chairs.

You can buy footstools as individual pieces but sometimes they are available when buying chairs and sofas as part of a set. If you want your stool to match, buying it at the same time as your other matching furniture is the best idea so that it all wears and ages at a similar rate. If you leave buying too late you may find the sunlight has faded your existing pieces so much that the new furniture doesn’t colour match, or you could even find that the furniture isn’t available any more.

You can also buy custom made furniture which mean that you will get exactly what you want, from the size to the legs to the fabric. This is the best option if you can afford it because you will end up with something perfect for you.

Whatever piece you go for, check that it is the right size for your room and that it gives you all the functionality that you need. I suggest however that you consider a storage footstool and the biggest size that is still sensible for your room because you never know when you will need extra seating in the house and extra storage is always of benefit.