Buying guide for The best footrests
You might think that footrests are all about chilling out and getting comfortable, but that's not the whole story. While some styles of footrests let you put your feet up as you binge-watch Netflix on your couch, others improve your posture while you sit. This helps to keep the kind of pain at bay that's often caused by sitting at a desk all day.
It's important to choose the right footrest for the task at hand. An ottoman won't do your posture any good while you sit at your desk, nor will an office footstool be a comfortable place to rest your feet while you sprawl on your couch for a movie night.
It’s also helpful to consider the extra features you might want in a footrest. For instance, some ottomans have built-in storage, providing a handy place to stash items out of sight. Some under-desk footstools have a textured surface designed to massage your feet while you sit and work.
The ComfiLife Under-Desk Foot Rest is our top choice in footstools. It offers your choice of two height levels and a cozy memory foam finish. If you work at a desk and want to improve your posture and stay comfortable while doing so, this is a good footstool to consider. We also like the Safco Task Master Adjustable Footrest. It’s another excellent choice with an even greater degree of adjustability and a heavy-duty metal finish.
The best footrests
The ComfiLife footrest provides great ergonomics while you work. This under-desk footrest helps you achieve the correct posture to avoid pain and discomfort. It's made from memory foam, which gives it a soft yet supportive feel.
You can choose between two height levels, offering a degree of adjustability. It measures 6 inches with its base or 4 inches without it, which suits most users. It has a nonslip underside to keep it from slipping around on hard floors.
This adjustable footrest has nine positions between 5 1/2 and 15 inches. You can also adjust the angle to suit your preference. It works as an under-desk footrest and accommodates both feet at once or one foot at a time, the latter of which comes in handy if you’re working at a cashier's desk or standing desk.
It might not be the most attractive of rests, but its steel construction makes it a rugged choice. The platform has a nonslip finish to help keep your feet securely in place.
You have a choice of two heights with this under-desk footrest. The regular height is 4 inches, and the tall height is 6 inches. You can use it with the flat side on the floor for stable support or the curved side on the floor for rocking your feet back and forth, which some people find helpful to avoid discomfort when sitting all day.
Made from memory foam, this footrest has a plush, comfortable finish, yet it's firm enough to provide adequate support.
This ottoman cube is the sort of footrest on which you could put your feet up while lounging on the couch. It's upholstered in faux leather for a simple, modern look. The top lifts off, and the body doubles as a storage unit to hold items such as blankets or toys.
It measures approximately 15 inches wide and 15 inches high, so it's fairly spacious inside. With an impressive 600-pound weight capacity, you can also sit on it or use it as a side table.
If you're looking for a footrest to make traveling more comfortable, this is the ideal choice. It hangs from the tray table in front of you on a plane or train, giving you a place to rest your feet. The strap is adjustable, so you can set it to a height that works for you.
The Andyer portable footrest is made of breathable mesh fabric and folds up small, so it won't take up too much room in your suitcase.
With its gorgeous classic style, this traditional ottoman would look great paired with a couch of a similar style. It has a cushioned, tufted top and stud detailing around the base. The ottoman is available in six upholstery hues, including navy blue and gray.
The lid lifts to reveal plenty of storage inside. It measures 30 inches wide and 16 inches tall, so there's lots of room to fit spare pillows, blankets and anything else you want easy access to in your living room.
This under-desk footrest is a simple, practical choice. It’s made from black plastic with a textured top that massages the soles of your feet — great for use at home. However, office co-workers might not appreciate you taking your shoes off in the middle of work!
This standard footrest from Fellowes has a tilting platform that goes anywhere from flat to a 25-degree angle, so you can stretch and move your feet as necessary. It has two height levels: one of approximately 3 inches and another of around 4 inches.
Made from wood, this under-desk footrest is slightly more attractive than most. It has a textured top surface to keep your feet from slipping off as you work. It also has antislip feet that prevent it from sliding on hard floors.
With its 25-degree angle, this rest is a suitable choice for anyone who prefers feeling their feet tilted rather than flat. It measures 4 1/2 inches at its highest point but isn't adjustable.
Stylishly understated, this footstool has a contemporary look with black metal legs and an upholstered top. It comes in your choice of blush pink, forest green velvet or a cream sherpa fleece fabric.
Measuring roughly 18 inches tall, it's a great height to use with most couches and easy chairs. While it doesn't have any built-in storage, it can also function as a side table for drinks or an extra seat when you're entertaining guests.
This upholstered ottoman looks sharp but has a relaxed air, making it great for a bohemian or farmhouse-style living room. It's upholstered in velvet in your choice of 12 colors, including fern green, orange and azure.
Stuffed with polystyrene beads, it's comfortable to put your feet up on and doubles as a large beanbag for people to sit on. It measures roughly 27 inches wide and 17 inches high.
With its natural finish, this stylish footstool looks at home in a variety of living rooms. It has a relaxed coastal aesthetic that pairs well with a laid-back decorative style or adds contrast and texture to a more conventional room.
The pouf has a woven finish made from a mixture of jute and cotton. Inside, it's filled with comfy styrofoam beads, so it's a nice place to rest your feet and relax. At 24 inches wide and 16 inches high, it's a comfortable height and large but not oversized.
What to know before buying a footrest
Footrest types
You can find footrests in several varieties, from practical to plush and elegant.
- Under-desk footrests: These give you a place to rest your feet when sitting at a desk. They help you maintain a comfortable and ergonomic sitting and working position without needing to lower your office chair to rest your feet on the floor.
- Adjustable footrests: Adjustable footrests are designed to provide flexibility in terms of height and tilt angle, allowing you to customize the position of your feet to your preference. These are mostly meant for office and desk use.
- Footstools and ottomans: These are footrests that pair with a couch to raise your feet while you're relaxing. They're comfortable but not meant to provide ergonomic support. You'll find them in all kinds of shapes, sizes and styles. Some double as side tables or extra seats when you run out of room on your sofa.
- Travel footrests: If you find yourself uncomfortable on planes, trains or long-distance bus rides because there is nowhere to rest your feet, a travel footrest is the way to go. This type of footrest is effectively a sling for your feet that hangs off a tray table.
Materials
Footrests come in a range of materials, each with its own characteristics.
- Memory foam: This material is a common choice for office footrests, providing a pleasant blend of comfort and support. However, some aren't firm enough and therefore don't offer enough support, as users' feet sink in further through the day.
- Upholstery: If you're looking for a footstool or ottoman to put your feet up when chilling on the couch or a comfy chair, upholstered options are a sound choice. You'll find upholstered footrests in practically any fabric, including luxurious velvet and rustic jute.
- Wood: You can find all-wood under-desk footrests, which are durable and a more attractive alternative to plastic and memory foam versions. Some footstools also have wooden legs with an upholstered top.
- Metal: Metal footrests are sturdy, practical and ideal for those who want a firm spot to rest their feet. The drawback is that they’re often not as attractive as other options.
- Textured plastic or rubber: Sore feet can ruin your day, but some footrests have textured hard plastic or rubber nodules to massage the undersides of your feet while you sit. This design may help reduce foot pain in people who spend a lot of the day standing. It can also help increase blood flow in the feet, which is good for people who sit all day for work.
Ergonomics
Ergonomic footrests help you maintain proper posture while sitting at a desk. To lessen the chance of musculoskeletal pain from sitting all day, you should attempt to sit in a neutral position. This involves having your knees roughly in line with your hips and your feet on the floor.
However, many people can't achieve this position without lowering their office chair. A too-low chair puts your arms and wrists in the wrong position for comfortable typing. That's where an under-desk footrest can save the day. Some are designed with closer attention to ergonomics than others. Adjustability improves ergonomics because what's right for one person may not work for everyone.
Nonslip surface
Some footrests have a nonslip surface. These are often seen in footrests designed for office use or travel. The nonslip design keeps your feet from sliding around or losing their grip, which can lead to more discomfort than going without a footrest at all.
A nonslip feature is especially useful on tilted or angled footrests, as it's more likely for feet to slip off if the surface is too smooth.
Style
For most people, the style of a footstool or ottoman is more important than the style of an under-desk footrest or travel footrest. That said, you can find some tasteful wooden office footrests that are ideal for anyone who doesn't want to mess up a stylish home office with an ugly footrest.
When it comes to ottomans and footstools, you can find them in numerous styles. There is something to suit all living rooms. If you have a classic couch, you might want to go for a traditional square ottoman that's fully upholstered with a tufted top. If you have a more contemporary living room, you might prefer a roughly spherical ottoman with a chunky knit finish or one inspired by art deco or mid-century styles.
Color
As with style, you're more likely to care about the color of a footrest if you'll be using it in your living room rather than tucking it under a desk.
You might decide to match the color of your footstool to your couch. However, if you can't get an exact match, it often looks more attractive to go for an entirely different color than a near match.
It's easier to choose a contrasting color if you have a fairly neutral couch. For instance, if your couch is gray or off-white, it will work with almost any color ottoman, but a pop of bold color – think mustard, teal or blush pink — might amp up your style.
On the other hand, if your couch is a bold hue, you might choose a neutral color for your footstool or opt for one with a natural finish. There's no right or wrong; it all comes down to your personal style and preference.
Storage
Some ottomans have built-in storage. Those with storage are usually fairly large and traditional, as they must have room in the base. They typically have lids that lift up or off the base and space inside to store anything from blankets and pillows to toys for kids or pets. This design is ideal for anyone who needs a little more storage space at home.
FAQ
Q. How much do footrests cost?
A. You can find basic office footrests and travel footrests for as little as $10 to $30. More advanced under-desk footrests, including rocking and adjustable footrests, cost between $150 and $200.
Ottomans and footstools can cost anywhere from $25 to $50 for simple designs to between $100 and $500 for the most attractive options and those from high-end brands.
Q. Are footrests good for you?
A. Office footrests help maintain a neutral sitting position if you aren't tall enough to firmly plant your feet on the floor when sitting in a chair that’s the correct height for your desk. This setup improves your posture and diminishes your chance of incurring back or hip pain from sitting too long.
Q. Should a footrest be flat or angled?
A. There's no right or wrong option for an under-desk footrest, so if you find it more comfortable to sit with an angled footrest, choose this option. Conversely, if a flat footrest feels more natural to you, that's what you should use.
Some people prefer to mix up their sitting positions. In this case, a footrest that can be adjusted either flat or at an angle may be your best bet.
