subject: Storage in your foot stools - is there an ideal shape? [print this page] Storage in your foot stools - is there an ideal shape?
If you're looking specifically for a foot stool to store 'stuff' in - whether it's your craft or hobby product, or if it's something slightly more esoteric, such as a game or other item that only needs to be brought out occasionally, you might want to consider a foot stool with storage.
But isn't that..fussy?
Most people, when they think of foot stools think of small, legged tables with cushions on them that their grandparents may have rested their legs on when sitting down or sleeping. There's the common image of an old man with his feet up on a little dog-like foot stool that's low down to the ground and no good as anything else other than a foot rest in most people's minds when they talk about foot stools, but the truth of the matter is that there are several dozen types of foot stool - from the traditional, smaller size, to ottoman sized affairs that could be used as benches and everything in between. Each of them has their various charms and points of interest and use, but most of them are also designed with one thing in mind - using them to rest your feet on! The rest is just additional design features, and should be treated as such. If you find a foot stool that's gorgeous, but is lacking in storage, and all you wanted it for primarily was a foot stool, go for it! If you're looking for storage however, you need to go in with that as your highest priority.
So, how do I choose?
The first question you need to ask yourself is what you plan on storing in it. If you're going to store your knitting, crochet or needlework, the box inside needs to be big enough to store that comfortably, without creating an additional problems or damage to your belongings. It's also important to remember that though most of these products have a solid base, storing needles at angles against the seat or the cushion might lead to them poking through and either damaging the cushion, or worse, anyone resting on it.
The second question you need to ask yourself is whether you want a product that matches with your d?cor or if you're happy taking something that makes a bit of a statement - if you want something that matches your other furniture, you may find that you need to either find fabric to match them, or reupholster everything.
Finally, look at the various details on it - if it's got legs that you really love, there's no point in making a 'skirt' or valance to cover them - similarly, if they're hideous consider other design features that you can use to cover them over.
