Floor Poufs for Renters — Versatile, Affordable, and Worth It

Floor Poufs for Renters — The Most Versatile Piece of Furniture You’re Not Using Enough

Introduction

I have six floor poufs in my rental. Six.

Three came from JYSK for $10 each. Two, I made myself with fabric from the craft store and stuffing from Walmart — I’ve recovered them twice as our style evolved. One grey standard pouf lives in the kids’ room and has survived more than I care to think about.

Floor poufs are one of the most underrated pieces of furniture in a rental and one of the most versatile. They move between rooms, serve multiple functions, and cost almost nothing compared to the flexibility they add to a space.

Here’s everything you need to know about using them well.

Why floor poufs work so well in rentals

Rentals come with a fixed amount of permanent seating — usually whatever sofa fits the living room and whatever chairs come with the dining table. Floor poufs fill every gap in between without taking up permanent floor space, committing to a layout, or requiring any landlord permission.

They are completely flexible — move them between rooms, stack them when not in use, and use them differently in every season. And when you move out, they come with you.

The five ways I use floor poufs in my rental

As a coffee table. A pouf with a tray on top is one of the best low cost coffee table alternatives in a rental living room. It’s lower than a standard coffee table, which opens up the visual space of the room; it’s softer, which matters when you have kids, and the tray gives you a flat surface for drinks, remotes, and books. A round wooden tray or a woven tray both work beautifully.

As extra seating. This is the most obvious use, and it works. When you have more people than seats, a pouf pulls up to any surface and handles the overflow. They’re light enough to move from room to room in seconds.

As a footrest. A pouf in front of your favourite chair or beside the sofa is a more relaxed and visually softer option than a traditional ottoman. It lowers the visual weight of the seating area and adds a layer of texture at the same time.

As a reading nook anchor. In my basement rec room, two of my DIY poufs sit in the reading corner. They’re not trying to be anything fancy — they’re comfortable, low, and exactly right for that space. A pouf in a corner with a floor lamp and a plant behind it is one of the easiest reading nook setups there is.

In the kids’ room. A pouf in a kid’s room gets used constantly — for sitting, for sprawling, for jumping on, for dragging across the floor. The grey one in my kids’ room has been there for years. It’s washable, durable, and takes up almost no floor space when they need room to play.

How I made my own poufs for almost nothing

This is easier than it sounds, and the result is completely customizable to your space.

Here’s exactly what I did:

What you need: Fabric of your choice — I used an upholstery-weight fabric for durability. For the first version, I chose a pretty print. When the kids got older, I recovered them in a more practical, kid-friendly fabric.

Polyfill stuffing from Walmart — one large bag per pouf.

A sewing machine or a needle and thread, if you’re doing it by hand.

The basic process: Cut your fabric into the shape you want — a square or rectangle is the easiest shape to sew. Sew the pieces together, leaving one side open. Stuff firmly with polyfill — the firmer the better for durability. Sew the final seam closed.

That’s it. The whole project costs under $20 per pouf and takes an afternoon.

The best part about making your own is that you can recover them when your style changes without buying new ones. I’ve done it twice, and both times the poufs came out looking brand new.

Where to buy them if you don’t want to make your own

JYSK — this is where my three living room poufs came from. $10 each, solid construction, neutral colours that work with everything. JYSK is genuinely underrated for affordable home basics.

IKEA — consistently affordable, good range of sizes and colours, holds up well to regular use.

HomeSense — worth checking regularly. They get in interesting poufs at good prices, and the stock changes often.

Amazon — wide range of styles and price points. Read reviews carefully for quality — the range is huge and so is the quality variation.

Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji — excellent for poufs. They’re the kind of thing people buy, use briefly, and sell. You can find quality poufs for a fraction of retail regularly.

What to look for when buying

Filling density matters. A pouf that feels firm when you sit on it will hold its shape over time. A pouf that feels soft and squishy will flatten and lose its shape within months. Press down on it before you buy — if it compresses more than a few inches, it’s too soft.

Cover material matters for durability. Knitted poufs look beautiful but snag easily in a family home. Leather and faux leather wipe clean and hold up well. Woven cotton and canvas are the sweet spot — durable, washable, and look great in most rental styles.

Size matters for function. A pouf that’s coffee table height — around 40-45cm — works as both a seat and a surface. A lower pouf works better as a footrest. Know what you need it for before you buy.

Splurge or Save on floor poufs?

Save. A $10 JYSK pouf does the same job as a $200 designer pouf. What matters is the filling density and the cover material — not the price tag or the brand name.

Spend your money on the pieces that have the most visual impact in your rental — your rug, your curtains, your lighting. A pouf fills a functional gap beautifully without needing to be an investment piece.

Get the free Splurge or Save Cheat Sheet →

Recommendations for floor poufs

Here are some recommended places to buy Floor poufs for your home:

1. Article: Known for its modern furniture, Article offers a variety of poufs, like their Black and White Handwoven Ottoman.
2. Pottery Barn: If you prefer a touch of velvet, Pottery Barn’s Everywhere Velvet Pouf could be a great choice.
3. West Elm: For a more eclectic option, West Elm’s Desert Stream Pouf adds a splash of colour to any room.
4. Amazon: Amazon offers a wide range of poufs to suit every style. For example, their selection includes various options like pouf ottomans, pouf chairs, and more.
5. Bouclair: Bouclair is a home decor store that offers stylish poufs. Unfortunately, a specific product could not be accessed at this time, but they have an array of options available on their website.