Nordic Round Multipurpose Foot Stool Ottoman

Some furniture is designed to be the star of a room. Other pieces are designed to make the room work, quietly filling the small gaps in everyday life. The Nordic Round Multipurpose Foot Stool Ottoman belongs firmly in the second group. It is a plain round stool with a minimal Nordic look, and its job is simply to be useful wherever you need it.

That usefulness comes in three forms. It is a footrest in front of a chair, a small surface beside the sofa and an extra seat when friends drop by. It measures 11.81 by 11.81 inches and stands 16.93 inches high, and its soft cotton blend cover and thick fill make it comfortable whichever role it is playing.

What makes the Nordic stool stand out

Its simplicity is the point. The stool has a plain round shape with no leather finish, no curved silhouette and no decorative detail. That restraint is what lets it fit into almost any room without becoming the thing you look at. It blends in, and it lets your other pieces shine.

The height sets it apart from a low pouf. At 16.93 inches high, it sits at a comfortable level beside a sofa as a small side surface, and at a good height as a footrest in front of an armchair or a taller chair. It also makes a proper seat, rather than a floor level perch.

The cover is a soft cotton blend over a thick fill. It is comfortable to sit on or rest your feet against, and light enough to lift and move with one hand. Small variations in tone and texture are normal from piece to piece.

Then there is color. Ten colors are offered: yellow, white, gray blue, khaki, pink, bright blue, black, gray, light green and brown red. White, gray and khaki blend quietly into a neutral room, black gives a crisp modern accent, and bright blue, yellow, pink or light green add a playful pop of color.

Where it looks best, room by room

• Living rooms. A side surface beside the sofa or a footrest in front of a chair.
• Bedrooms. A small seat at a dressing table or a bedside perch.
• Scandinavian and Japandi rooms. A plain round that suits clean lines and light wood.
• Kids' rooms. Bright colors and a soft seat for a play corner.
• Home offices. A footrest under the desk or a seat for a visitor.

Because it is so versatile, it often ends up moving around the house. It may start the day as a seat at a dressing table, spend the afternoon as a side surface for a cup of tea and finish the evening as a footrest in front of the television.

A pair of stools in contrasting colors, such as khaki and brown red or white and gray blue, makes a relaxed, playful arrangement beside a sofa or under a window.

Choosing the size and placement

The stool measures 11.81 by 11.81 inches and stands 16.93 inches high. Before ordering, think about how you will use it most. As a side surface, place it right beside the sofa arm so a cup or a book is easy to reach. As a footrest, set it in front of a chair at a comfortable distance. As a seat, give it a little space so people can sit without bumping into other furniture.

A few tips help it look and work its best:

• Use a small tray on top when it serves as a side table, so drinks stay level on the upholstered surface.
• Set it on a level floor so it stays steady when you sit down.
• Keep it out of long periods of direct sun so the color holds.
• Spot clean marks promptly rather than soaking the cover.

Its compact footprint also suits small apartments, where one stool can serve three purposes without crowding the room.

Pairing it with other pieces

A plain round stool pairs beautifully with simple, natural pieces. In a Scandinavian room, set a khaki or white stool beside a light wood sofa frame with a linen throw. In a bright kids' room, a yellow or bright blue stool pairs with white furniture and colorful storage. A small tray on top turns it into a neat little side table.

Browse the decorative trays collection for a tray to set on top, or the poufs and ottomans collection for larger companion pieces. A floor lamp beside a chair and stool makes a comfortable reading corner.

Is the Nordic stool right for your space?

This stool is a strong fit if you:

• Want one piece that works as a footrest, side surface and seat.
• Like plain, minimal furniture with a Nordic look.
• Need a wide choice of colors to match or accent a room.
• Have a small space where furniture needs to be flexible.

It may not be the right choice if you want a large ottoman that doubles as a coffee table, or a cover that goes in the washing machine, since this one is spot clean only. For a bigger surface, a full size ottoman will suit you better.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, and questions about colors are answered at info@norafurnish.com.