What Is a Hassock?

Identification

• Hassocks are low, cushioned, small padded stools. They are upholstered and padded with a variety of materials.

Function

• Hassocks are used for movable extra seating. They can be placed in front of a couch or chair to be used as a foot rest. Hollow ones allow for storage while others also provide trays.

Considerations

• Other terms used interchangeably for hassock are footstool and ottoman. An ottoman is the same as a hassock, but a footstool might not be. A hassock is upholstered and padded while a footstool can be left un-upholstered and unpadded.

Outside Material

• Hassocks can be upholstered in leather. Traditionally, this is Moroccan leather. The colors can be light to black. The leather can be smooth or tooled so that it has a design. A diversity of upholstery cloth is also used to cover a hassock. The colors can be chosen for a custom-made hassock. The cloth can be regular upholstery cloth or microfiber. A hassock can also have a combination finish. This is where it is not completely covered, leaving exposed wood. The wood may be plain or decorative.

Inside Material

• The inside of a hassock is filled with wool or polyester batting material. Leather Moroccan hassocks are filled with sheep wool.

Types

• Hassocks can be handcrafted or produced in a factory. Their styles range from traditional to modern. There are storage ones with and without hinged lids and non-storage ones. In addition, their application can extend to designs such as coffee tables. There are different kinds of hassocks around the world: African, American, Asian, Canadian, Chinese, European and Japanese. Hassocks are made in shapes such as oval, square and round. They can also be rectangular as with the coffee table.