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The Best Patio Ottoman

Last updated on September 13, 2021
Best Patio Ottoman

Our Review Process

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Our Picks For The Top Patio Ottomans

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Best Overall

Household Essentials Resin Wicker Patio Ottoman

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Household Essentials

Resin Wicker Patio Ottoman

While you can use this patio ottoman to prop your feet up and relax, it can also be used as a side table. It's constructed from a durable resin wicker material that's extremely sturdy. Since the wicker is weather-resistant, you don't have to bring it inside every time there's rain in the forecast.

Overall Take

Multi-Functional PieceThis patio ottoman weighs just over 5 pounds, so it's light enough to move around as needed.

 Choose Your Pattern

FBTS Prime Round Inflatable Patio Ottoman

FBTS Prime

Round Inflatable Patio Ottoman

Add a touch of style to your space with this patio ottoman. The cover comes in 12 different patterns, including blue leaves, red and white stripes and a multi-colored paisley print. The ottoman itself is inflatable, which means you can deflate the ottoman when traveling and then blow it back up again when you get to your destination.

Overall Take

Super StylishThis patio ottoman has a high weight capacity of 300 pounds.

 Best Set

Keter Urban Knit Pouf Patio Ottoman Set

Keter

Urban Knit Pouf Patio Ottoman Set

This pair of patio ottomans allow you to invite a friend to spend an afternoon on the patio with a glass of refreshing iced tea. The ottomans are stylish and constructed from an all-weather polypropylene resin. Each ottoman has a high weight capacity of 242 pounds. The included table adds 20 gallons of storage space.

Overall Take

Everything You NeedNot only do you get two patio ottomans with this set, but you'll also receive a matching table with storage.

 We Also Like

Fabritones Indoor Outdoor Inflatable Patio Ottoman

Fabritones

Indoor Outdoor Inflatable Patio Ottoman

In addition to providing seating for your back porch, this patio ottoman can also be used during yoga or around a campfire. It's available in more than 12 fun colors and patterns, including a zebra print, rainbow paisley and navy with tiny squares. Each ottoman is equipped with a carrying handle and a side storage pocket.

Overall Take

Cute DesignThis patio ottoman has an outer cover that is both waterproof and washable.

Buying Guide

The patio ottoman is a piece of outdoor furniture that can accent your patio chairs, prop up your feet on a hot summer’s day or even act as a spare seat or a temporary coffee table when you need the surface space.

Patio ottomans are often lightweight so they can easily be grabbed and used where you need them. Maybe you’re on the edge of your chair and would like to rest your feet, you can move it to that position. A guest comes over and you need an extra seat for them on the patio, grab the ottoman and arrange it in a good position to sit on and offer them the comfy couch seat. Whatever it is that you end up using the ottoman for, you are sure to add value to your backyard setup by adding one.

Cushioning and style are the next major categories for figuring out which patio ottoman is right for you. Some are very comfy and built with weather-resistant fabric, just like your other outdoor furniture. Others are more basic and simply serve as a footstool. Others are more like poufs. If you have a small outdoor space and it seems likely that people will sit on the ottoman regularly, focus on more comfortable units that have good cushioning.

What to Look For

  • Know in advance where your ottoman will live. An outdoor ottoman is very different than an indoor ottoman, though you can swap them in and out, depending on the weather.
  • Height matters if you are using the patio ottoman as a footrest or a seat. If your ottoman will sit in front of a lounge chair, be sure the height of the ottoman is equal to or even a slight bit higher than your chair-seat height.
  • For patio ottomans that will be used as seats by children, you can go with a shorter model. If many adults will be sitting on it though, you might want to consider how awkward a short seat would be for some of them and err on the side of a taller model.

More to Explore

As you might have guessed, the ottoman was originally found in the Ottoman Dynasty, where it was common to have low wooden structures in the main living quarters of a home that would be piled up with cushions and blankets to act as seating. This was in lieu of couches though, and the ottomans would often encompass all the exterior walls of the rooms so there was seating for many people and they would all be able to face inwards toward each other.

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