Living Room

Ottomans

Ottomans and poufs with natural cushioning instead of polyurethane foam or plastic beads.

A cotton or wool cover tells only part of the story.  We favor fills such as wool, latex, coir and cork and describe the frame and upholstery treatments as well.  Empty covers are clearly labeled, so you know whether the product includes the cushioning shown.

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Highwood Folding Adirondack Footrest — Black Highwood Folding Adirondack Footrest — Black STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: For outdoor seating, this USA-made footrest avoids upholstered padding and the repainting needed by some wood furniture.  It folds away and uses 304 stainless steel hardware.  The wood-look slats and legs are recycled plastic—not timber—so this is a low-maintenance option, not a plastic-free one.  It is intended as a footrest, not a step stool or food-contact surface. Materials: recycled plastic lumber · 304 stainless steel hardware $89.99★ 4.6 · 100+ ratings View on Amazon
Amish Cedar Adirondack Gliding Footstool — Unfinished Amish Cedar Adirondack Gliding Footstool — Unfinished STEELUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: A broad central cedar slat supports your feet while a ball-bearing base moves with a glider chair.  This Amish-made wooden footstool needs no foam pad or fabric cover, and the unfinished selection leaves off the optional outdoor sealer.  Zinc-coated steel hardware is disclosed; cedar itself has a natural scent.  Shown with clear finish; supplied unfinished. Materials: unfinished Eastern red cedar · zinc-coated steel hardware · gliding ball bearings $271.00 View product
Amish Cedar Curved Gliding Ottoman — Unfinished Amish Cedar Curved Gliding Ottoman — Unfinished STEEL Why we recommend it: This curved cedar footrest offers a firm, unpadded alternative to a foam-filled ottoman.  The unfinished option omits the outdoor sealer, while ball-bearing hardware lets it move with a glider chair.  Amish-made in the USA with zinc-coated steel fasteners.  Cedar has a natural aroma, so choose another material if you need scent-free furniture.  Shown with clear finish; supplied unfinished. Materials: unfinished Eastern red cedar · zinc-coated steel hardware · gliding ball bearings $314.00 View product
Carl Hansen CH53 Short Footstool — Soaped Oak and Natural Paper Cord Carl Hansen CH53 Short Footstool — Soaped Oak and Natural Paper Cord SOLID WOODPAPER Why we recommend it: An unbleached paper-cord seat gives this Danish-made oak footstool a little flexibility without an upholstered foam cushion.  Its compact, open frame is easy to move beside a reading chair.  The selected wood has a soap finish; the maker also discloses a thin protective wax on the cord, so it is not an entirely untreated piece. Materials: solid oak · unbleached paper cord · protective cord wax (type unspecified) · soap wood finish $1,060.00 View product
Fredericia Wegner J16 Footstool — Soaped Oak and Natural Paper Cord Fredericia Wegner J16 Footstool — Soaped Oak and Natural Paper Cord SOLID WOODPAPER Why we recommend it: A wide woven seat makes the J16 a useful footrest that can also serve as an occasional stool.  Fredericia publishes a material breakdown: solid wood and paper cord make up over 99% by weight, with small amounts of glue and soap finish disclosed.  This Danish-made version has no upholstered foam pad; choose natural cord and soaped oak rather than the lacquered alternatives. Materials: solid oak · natural paper cord · soap finish · assembly adhesive (formula unspecified) $1,280.00 View product
Fritz Hansen Between Lines Deck Footstool — Untreated Teak Fritz Hansen Between Lines Deck Footstool — Untreated Teak Why we recommend it: The gently sloped teak slats support your legs without a foam cushion or weatherproof fabric cover.  Fritz Hansen specifies untreated, FSC-certified wood, which can age to silver-gray outdoors without an added finish.  This low footstool is made in Vietnam; the maker lists Brazil, Panama and Costa Rica as teak sources.  Choose the bare stool, not the optional padded cushion. Materials: untreated solid teak · assembly fasteners (alloy unspecified) $399.00 View product
Fritz Hansen Skagerak Cutter Stool — Untreated Teak Fritz Hansen Skagerak Cutter Stool — Untreated Teak STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Untreated teak and stainless steel reinforcement give Cutter a firm, unupholstered surface for resting your feet, with no foam cushion or lacquered wood finish.  Its open frame also works as a small seat or side table.  Made in Thailand with FSC-certified teak; small floor glides are present, but their material is not specified. Materials: untreated solid teak · stainless steel inlays · floor glides (material unspecified) $503.20 View product
Home of Wool Flat-Sided Wool Pouf — Virgin Wool Cover Home of Wool Flat-Sided Wool Pouf — Virgin Wool Cover LINENWOOL Why we recommend it: A smooth cylindrical cover gives this wool-filled pouf a tidy profile beside a sofa, with no rigid frame or foam core.  The selected version contains 3.7 kg of wool and has a removable virgin-wool cover; zipper access allows the filling to be adjusted as it settles.  Made in Bulgaria from European wool, it suits a footrest or occasional floor seat and needs regular airing rather than washing the filled insert. Materials: wool filling · virgin wool cover · inner fabric insert · linen thread · metal zipper (recycled tape) $505.00 View product
Home of Wool Gathered Wool Pouf — Virgin Wool Cover Home of Wool Gathered Wool Pouf — Virgin Wool Cover WOOL Why we recommend it: Gathered wool fabric gives this pouf a soft, rounded shape, while 6 kg of wool provides its cushioning instead of plastic foam or beads.  The selected virgin-wool cover is removable, and the carry handle makes it easy to move beside a chair.  Handmade in Bulgaria from European wool, it needs occasional reshaping as the filling settles; follow wool-care instructions for the cover. Materials: wool filling · virgin wool cover · inner fabric insert · zipper $565.00 View product
Home of Wool Low Round Ottoman — Hemp Cover Home of Wool Low Round Ottoman — Hemp Cover HEMPWOOL Why we recommend it: This broad, low ottoman pairs a textured hemp cover with 9.2 kg of wool filling, offering a substantial footrest or floor seat without foam cushioning.  Zipper access lets you redistribute the wool as it settles, and the cover removes for separate care.  Handmade in Bulgaria using European wool, the selected version measures about 39.5 inches across and 10 inches high. Materials: wool filling · hemp cover · inner fabric insert · zipper $1,007.00 View product
J.L. Møller 80A Paper-Cord Footstool — Oiled Oak J.L. Møller 80A Paper-Cord Footstool — Oiled Oak SOLID WOODPAPER Why we recommend it: A handwoven paper-cord seat curves gently between tapered oak legs, giving the 80A a yielding footrest without a separate foam cushion.  Made in Denmark, it also works as an occasional seat.  This selection is oil-finished rather than raw wood; the oil formula and small leg-glide materials are not specified, so it is not presented as entirely untreated or plastic-free. Materials: solid oak · natural paper cord · oil finish (formula unspecified) · leg glides (material unspecified) $566.00 View product
Lakeland Mills CF1220 Solid-Wood Log Ottoman — Unfinished Lakeland Mills CF1220 Solid-Wood Log Ottoman — Unfinished USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: A level, solid-wood top makes this Michigan-built log ottoman useful as a firm footrest or small side table.  Cedar logs, traditional mortise-and-tenon joints and galvanized hardware replace the composite panels and padded upholstery found in many ottomans.  Choose the natural, unfinished version; it can weather outdoors without adding a factory coating. Materials: Northern white cedar log frame · solid-wood slat top · galvanized metal hardware $119.95 View product
Lakeland Mills Unfinished Cedar Log Slanted Footrest Lakeland Mills Unfinished Cedar Log Slanted Footrest USA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: For a porch or sunroom, this angled footrest offers a firm cedar surface without foam padding or synthetic upholstery.  It is made in Michigan with solid log supports and galvanized hardware.  The natural wood is supplied unfinished and can weather silver-gray outdoors; this is a wooden footrest, not a cushioned seat. Materials: unfinished Northern white cedar · galvanized metal hardware $104.95 View product
Moroccan Corridor Embroidered Goatskin Pouf Cover — Orange, Unfilled Moroccan Corridor Embroidered Goatskin Pouf Cover — Orange, Unfilled LEATHER Why we recommend it: This hand-embroidered goatskin cover lets you choose the filling instead of buying an ottoman stuffed with synthetic foam or plastic beads.  Made in Marrakesh, it is sold unfilled and has an underside zip; clean cotton or wool offcuts are an option.  The maker describes the leather as vegetable-tanned, but does not publish the dye formula or the thread and zipper materials. Materials: goatskin leather · embroidery thread · underside zipper (materials unspecified) $109.00 View product
OakViva Solid Cork Barrel Stool and Side Table OakViva Solid Cork Barrel Stool and Side Table CORK Why we recommend it: A flat round top lets this cork barrel move between footrest, extra seat and small side table.  Its exposed bark-block construction leaves out the fabric cover and foam cushion of a conventional padded ottoman.  Made in Portugal from local cork, it keeps the material visible; the brand does not detail the block joints or any surface treatment. Materials: solid cork bark blocks · joining and surface-treatment details unspecified $675.00 View product
OakViva Solid Cork Champagne Stool OakViva Solid Cork Champagne Stool CORK Why we recommend it: The rounded top and flared base make this compact cork piece useful beside a lounge chair as a firm footrest or occasional seat.  OakViva specifies solid Portuguese bark blocks rather than a padded shell or ground-cork filler.  It is handmade in Portugal; block-joining and surface-treatment details are not published, so the natural-looking exterior is not a chemical-safety guarantee. Materials: solid cork bark blocks · joining and surface-treatment details unspecified $675.00 View product
OakViva Solid Cork Tower Stool OakViva Solid Cork Tower Stool CORK Why we recommend it: The Tower’s tapered body offers a compact, firm place to rest your feet without an upholstered pad.  Its maker specifies hand-sanded solid cork bark rather than agglomerated cork or composite filler, and Portuguese production.  The visible cork is the reason to consider it—not an unsupported promise of zero emissions; joining and treatment details remain unspecified. Materials: solid cork bark blocks · joining and surface-treatment details unspecified $675.00 View product
Sika Design Franco Albini Large Rattan Ottoman — Polished Antique Sika Design Franco Albini Large Rattan Ottoman — Polished Antique Why we recommend it: Open woven cane gives this rounded ottoman its shape without a foam core or upholstered shell.  The reinforced rattan frame works as a footrest or a surface for a separate serving tray, and its construction is easy to inspect.  Handmade in Indonesia.  The antique finish and protective feet are not fully specified; it is not being presented as untreated or completely plastic-free. Materials: natural rattan frame and woven cane · polished antique finish · protective feet (material not specified) $655.00 View product
Sika Design Monet Rattan Footstool — Natural Sika Design Monet Rattan Footstool — Natural Why we recommend it: The curved rattan top supports your feet without an upholstered foam cushion.  Open slats and a lightweight cane frame make Monet easy to move beside a chair and wipe clean.  Handmade in Indonesia for indoor use.  The natural-color finish and small protective feet are not fully specified, so this is not an untreated or entirely plastic-free claim. Materials: natural rattan frame and bindings · natural finish (formula not published) · protective feet (material not specified) $179.00 View product
Sika Design Teddy Rattan Footstool — Natural, VB-18-PU Sika Design Teddy Rattan Footstool — Natural, VB-18-PU Why we recommend it: Teddy is a low woven-rattan footrest with a curved frame instead of a foam-filled upholstered body.  The unpadded surface can be wiped with a lightly damp cloth, and the open construction keeps the materials visible.  Made in Indonesia.  This listing is for the stool without a cushion; its polished natural finish is not an untreated-rattan claim. Materials: natural rattan seat, frame and bindings · polished natural finish (formula not published) $450.00 View product
The Futon Shop Round Latex-and-Wool Ottoman — Grey Cotton, 32-Inch The Futon Shop Round Latex-and-Wool Ottoman — Grey Cotton, 32-Inch NATURAL LATEXCOTTONWOOL Why we recommend it: Coconut coir and natural latex provide support beneath a soft wool wrap, replacing conventional polyurethane cushioning.  This 32-inch ottoman has a hardwood base and a 100% cotton basketweave cover in the selected Grey fabric.  TFS makes it in San Francisco; it works as a footrest or occasional seat.  Other fabric choices have different compositions, so select SOFA104 for this cotton version. Materials: 100% cotton cover · natural latex · coconut coir · wool · hardwood base $799.96 View product
Viand Mercantile Slatted Solid-Cork Ottoman — Short Viand Mercantile Slatted Solid-Cork Ottoman — Short CORK Why we recommend it: Open cork slats give this small ottoman a lighter-looking form than a solid upholstered cube.  The short version provides a firm footrest and can double as a side table, with no separate cushion or fabric cover to maintain.  Made in Portugal, it is described as solid natural cork; the seller does not identify how the slats are bonded or whether the surface is treated. Materials: solid cork · slat-joining materials and surface treatment unspecified $350.00 View product

What we avoid

These are category-level exclusions when materials or treatments are disclosed.  Each product card explains why we recommend it and lists the disclosed materials.

Polyurethane foam Chemical flame retardants Fiberglass barriers Vinyl / PVC covers