Square, Round, or Rectangle? Choosing the Optimal Ottoman Shape for Your Living Room

An ottoman is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can add to your living room. It can serve as a footrest, extra seating, or even replace a coffee table. However, its shape is the key factor that determines how well it functions and integrates with your existing furniture layout.

To help you find the perfect match, here is our guide to the advantages of the three most popular ottoman shapes: square, round, and rectangle!

The Sturdy Workhorse: Rectangular Ottomans

The rectangular ottoman is perhaps the most popular shape, often chosen for its balanced proportions and generous surface area.

Advantages of Rectangular Ottomans

• Mimics a Coffee Table: A rectangle is the natural complement to most standard sofas and sectionals. It provides a long, ample surface area, making it the best choice if you plan to use your ottoman primarily as a coffee table for holding drinks, books, and decorative trays.

• Ideal for Sectionals: Rectangles perfectly fill the "L" shape of a sectional sofa. They extend across the entire length of the seating area, allowing everyone on the couch to comfortably use it as a footrest.

• Balanced Scale: Because most living room furniture (sofas, side chairs, consoles) is rectangular, this shape integrates seamlessly without visually disrupting the room's geometry.

• Maximum Storage: Rectangular storage ottomans typically offer the largest internal capacity for storing blankets, games, or remote controls.

Best For:

• Long or large sofas and L-shaped sectionals.

• Rooms where the ottoman needs to function primarily as a coffee table, providing the largest surface area for serving.

The Grounding Centerpiece: Square Ottomans

A square ottoman offers a distinct, geometric look. While similar to the rectangle, its balanced dimensions give it a different visual weight and function.

Advantages of Square Ottomans

• Great for Multi-Seating: A square is ideal when your living room has multiple individual seating pieces (e.g., two sofas facing each other, or a sofa with two separate accent chairs). Its centered, symmetrical position allows people in all seats to easily access or use it.

• Defines a Space: The square shape is a strong anchor, perfectly centering a seating arrangement or area rug. It works particularly well in large, open-concept spaces where you need a strong piece to define the boundary of the living area.

• Easy to Arrange: You can often push four matching square ottomans together to form one large coffee table, and then easily pull them apart for individual seating when hosting a crowd.

Best For:

• Symmetrical furniture layouts (such as two sofas facing each other).

• Large rooms that need a clear centerpiece to anchor the space.

The Softener: Round Ottomans

Round ottomans introduce curved lines into a typically linear space, offering a softer visual appeal and high function.

Advantages of Round Ottomans

• Breaks Up Straight Lines: If your living room is dominated by straight-lined furniture (rectangular sofa, square side tables, rectangular TV stand), a round ottoman provides a much-needed visual contrast that makes the room feel more dynamic and less rigid.

• Better for Traffic Flow: Since they have no hard corners, round ottomans are inherently safer and easier to navigate around. This makes them the optimal choice for homes with young children or in small, high-traffic areas.

• Conversation Friendly: Their circular shape naturally encourages conversation and social interaction, making them feel less formal than a large, sharp-edged coffee table.

• Great for Small Seating: A small round ottoman is perfect as a single, flexible footrest or as a stand-alone accent next to a reading chair.

Best For:

• Small or crowded rooms where safety and easy movement are key.

• Rooms with boxy furniture that need a visual "softener" and contrast.

Final Ottoman Shape Checklist

To summarize your choice:

• Rectangle is best for long sofas and sectionals, providing the largest surface area for serving.

• Square is the ideal choice for symmetrical seating arrangements (like paired sofas) and helps anchor a large space.

• Round is the easiest to navigate around, provides a soft, curved contrast to boxy furniture, and is great for small or crowded rooms.

Ready to find your perfect shape? Explore our collection of ottomans available in every shape, fabric, and color to complete your living room design!