The Gorgeous $50 Storage Gem I Use Instead of a Vanity Chair — And I’ll Never Go Back

For the entire first year of living in my current apartment, I put off getting a vanity even though I desperately wanted one. I have the smallest bedroom in my three-bedroom apartment, so even with just a bed and a dresser as the only pieces of furniture in it, the space already felt cramped. I knew if I were to get a table where I could work and get ready, I’d have to be strategic and choose one that didn’t completely block the walkway from my closet to my window.

As it turns out, finding a small-space vanity was the easy part. The challenge would be to find a chair for it that didn’t jut out too far from under it. I figured a standard chair shape wouldn’t work; what I needed was a stool. During my search, I saw this vanity storage stool on Songmics’ website. I already own and love a couple of things from the brand, so I asked to try it, and I received one in the “Cream White” color. Luckily, it’s exactly what my new getting-ready station needed.

This stool caught my eye while browsing Songmics for two reasons: It looked small, and its name says it has storage. When I clicked on it, I was happy to read that the stool has a diameter of only 15.4 inches. My vanity’s surface measures 22 inches deep, so I knew the stool would fit completely under it. The stool’s lid lifts up to reveal a 5-inch-deep storage compartment, which is great for holding a variety of small accessories.

You can shop the stool in four upholstery colors, and each one is paired with gold-toned legs. I chose the “cream white,” which is basically ivory. When the stool arrived, all I had to do was attach the legs to the body with the included bolts and hex key. Then, I put the black anti-skid covers onto the feet and replaced the lid, and it was ready to use!

What I love most about this product is that it’s not super noticeable when it’s all the way under my desk, but it’s still cute when it is visible. It’s pretty small, but its ivory-colored fabric is chic and velvety soft, and it matches the neutral aesthetic of my room. The legs are a bit too yellow-toned for my taste, but again, they’re not super visible, so it doesn’t bother me that much. The anti-skid foot covers are nice, though, and help me feel secure when I sit on the stool.

The storage compartment is super handy, too. I use it to hold jewelry and hair accessories, like extra claw clips and scrunchies, that don’t fit in my vanity drawers. It’s nice to have the items I typically reach for when getting ready to go out on a weekend all in one spot.

Because the stool is so compact, it doesn’t block my walkway at all; I’m still able to put down a yoga mat in the space between my bed and vanity if I want to exercise in my room. And, it can double as extra living room seating. Whenever I’ve hosted friends and we can’t all fit on the couch and bench, I bring out the stool, and one friend even told me that the seat is surprisingly plush and comfortable.

No matter what your small-space seating needs are, the vanity stool is the versatile gem you need in your life. Normally priced at $50, it’s already a steal, but you can almost always find a discount on the Songmics website to add to your order. If I happen to need another extra seat in my home, I might just grab another one.

Buy: SONGMICS Vanity Stool with Storage, $43.99 (normally $49.99)