The 8 Best Storage Benches and Stools of 2025

The All Modern Williams 59″ Storage Bench has drawers, so it’s ideal for storing underwear, bras, socks, or workout clothes (and this bench is especially useful if your bedroom is too small to accommodate a dresser, as mine is). However, when it arrived it smelled very strongly of chemicals, and that smell remained for several weeks. And the drawers only pull out three-quarters of the way, so it is hard to see anything stored toward the back.

We appreciated that the IKEA Förlunda pouffe was light and stackable, as well as nicely priced, but we wish it were of better quality. It would look at home in a children’s playroom, concealing toys, or as an ottoman for a very certain type of modern living room.

With its pretty rattan weave, the IKEA Tolkning bench is great for someone looking for affordable, bohemian, beachy furniture. But when it came to closing the lid, it was hard to get it to line up with the base. And lifting the lid took both hands, another irksome situation if you just want to take something out quickly. The finish was also a bit cheap, and the rattan could get caught on clothing or throws.

There is nothing wrong with the IKEA Valtorp; if you like the look, you’ll probably be quite happy with it. The lid opens via a hinge, and it stays open as well, at a 45-degree angle. But we thought the finishes looked a little sloppy, especially the inside lining. And building this bench was more difficult than building the other IKEA pieces we tried. With the Valtorp, I had to enlist the help of colleague Evan Dent, who happened to be working next to me while I struggled to build this bench. (I owe you a coffee, Evan, thank you.)

Many testers loved the Nofred Cube Long Storage Box; this is a beautiful piece of birch plywood furniture at a very reasonable price. And you can order optional wheels to make it mobile (one of the wheels is lockable). We originally thought it would make a great toy chest. However, after just a few days of testing, some edges of the wood had already started to chip. We had to lean in close to notice those details, but the chipping doesn’t bode well for the bench’s long-term durability.

Sabai’s The Essential Storage Bench is incredibly customizable, with your choice of several upholstery colors and fabrics, as well as leg shapes and finishes. The velvet one we ordered was comfortable to sit on, and it looked elegant, but it left a noticeable imprint when we sat on it. It was also annoying to get into: The wide, heavy top requires two hands to lift it, and you have to carefully lower it to align with the base. However, if you plan to use your storage bench for things you don’t need to access often, this bench may be an excellent choice.

With its woven water hyacinth material and acacia wood feet, the Target Casafield 17″ Round Storage Ottoman with Lid has a beachy look. But it felt a bit scratchy to sit on.

The Target Threshold Havenstone Pill-Shaped Storage Bench was a decent dupe for our similarly shaped, similarly boucle-d pick from Article. But looking closer, you can see that the polyester fabric of the Havenstone is glossy in an obviously synthetic way, and its lid lifts off rather than hinges, making it a nuisance to open.

The Target Threshold Tufted Round Storage Ottoman is not particularly comfortable or beautiful, nor is it uncomfortable or unattractive. The lid was a little hard to fit evenly onto the base. But if you like the look of it, and you need an ottoman only for storing a few items (it could fit a few light blankets or a throw pillow), this is a serviceable option.

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Joanne Chen