The IKEA Ottoman That Organizes Clutter In Small Indoor Spaces

Organizing small indoor spaces can be a balancing act: You need places to put your things, but too large of a piece can quickly overtake your space. A good solution is to track down a piece that is functional on its own in addition to serving a storage purpose. One such example is the IKEA GAMLEHULT ottoman with storage. Crafted from rattan, this ottoman serves as a footstool, side table, or even a seating surface in a pinch; it also has a spacious compartment where you can stash a good amount of would-be clutter.

Retailing for $99.99, the GAMLEHULT ottoman with storage features a circular body shape, with two sides of it being slightly flattened instead of curved. It has four black legs, while the woven rattan body blends well into minimalist or natural-themed interior decor schemes. The GAMLEHULT has a diameter of just 24⅜ inches and a height of 14⅛ inches, and the height under the piece is 5½ inches. The completely hollowed-out interior is good for storing books or television remotes; you can also enhance the comfort of the ottoman as a chair with a cushion on top. It has a weight capacity of roughly 240 pounds.

At the time of writing, customers have given the GAMLEHULT a 4.6-star average from over 300 reviews. They mention both the appearance and performance of the GAMLEHULT as selling points of the piece, making it one of several IKEA ottomans that are worth the price. One 5-star review on IKEA's website states, "This is one of the most useful and functional pieces I have purchased for my living room."

While the GAMLEHULT can be a useful resource for corralling various forms of clutter in your home, it might be worth pairing it with a basket for storing items within. The right basket will simplify retrieving whatever is in the ottoman, allowing this storage space to be organized, too, without becoming overly cluttered. IKEA's RISATORP basket with compartments ($19.99) is one good choice; you can fill the basket with remotes, phone chargers, or a small pad of paper and writing tools, then slide it into the ottoman's storage opening. The basket will stop all of these smaller items from being lost in far back portions of the GAMLEHULT. For a cheaper option that is capable of storing items like children's toys, you can try the KUGGIS box with lid ($6.99), which should work well.

While this piece is truly a practical option, its stylistic potential is high. If you want to play up the decorative qualities of the ottoman, style the top with a tray for holding items in an aesthetically pleasing way that prevents it from becoming a messy drop zone surface. You could arrange a decorative book, a candle, and perhaps a drink coaster on the tray. Lastly, since the GAMLEHULT is made from rattan, be sure to avoid positioning it in an area of your home that receives direct sunlight, since this can cause the wood to dry out or fade. If you're looking for more IKEA ottomans, here's our lineup of the 14 best.