Beyond playtime: 9+ ways Chunk™ doubles as furniture

For more than a decade, Nugget® has been making real furniture that’s really, really playwithable™. 

We love finding new ways to play with the Nugget® play couch and Chunk™ play ottoman. But it’s just as important to us that you can use your play furniture as furniture. 

So today, let’s highlight the furniture in play furniture — and show you all the excellent ways your Chunk play ottoman can be the most versatile piece of furniture in your home.

What’s a play ottoman? And what’s the difference between an ottoman and a play ottoman?

An ottoman often does one thing: It’s a footstool, or it’s an upholstered coffee table alternative. Occasionally, it does both. It’s not meant to be moved around, and it definitely wasn’t designed with kids in mind.

Chunk™ reinvented what ottomans are and can do. A play ottoman is made of four sturdy foam pieces that nest together to create a sleek and stylish round ottoman. When kids get a hold of it, it’s on the move: a pirate ship, a race car, a jungle gym, or the stepping stones when the floor is lava. 

And when they’re done for the day, it all packs neatly away into its ottoman form. The play might be paused for snacktime, but kids at heart (hi, grownups!) can find a million uses for it, too! It’s an ottoman coffee table, a colorful accent, and extra seating — all in one sleek piece of furniture.

That’s what makes a play ottoman so special: It’s both a toy and a piece of furniture — a concept so innovative that TIME Magazine named Chunk one of its best inventions of 2024.

We already know there are endless ways to play with Chunk™. So what are some ways it can be used as furniture?

*Cracks knuckles.* We’re so glad you asked.

1. Ottoman coffee table. Had to start with a Team GG favorite. Just put a tray down (or use a wide-bottomed mug with a coaster) and you’re good to go! Chunk has no square corners, which makes it a great coffee table replacement. We see a ton of reviews from Nuggeteers who’ve replaced their coffee table with Chunk — especially as they kid-proof their homes for the early years.
   

2. Foot rest. We love the Chunk™ as an additional foot rest next to the grownup couch. Why? It’s soft on the ankles, and it’s mobile. Just roll it to the room where you need it next.
3. Meditation cushion. Sometimes that yoga bolster just won’t do the trick. The Chunk™ pad is a large, thin foam piece that’s soft and supportive any time you need to center yourself, and you can adjust the height by using one (or two) of the pucks!
   

4. Extra seating. We love this one, because it can actually add 3-4 extra seats around the coffee table for game night!

5. Puzzle table. The Chunk™ pad is 33” in diameter, so a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle will fit easily — that size is usually between 16x20” and 18x24”. A 1000-piece puzzle will technically fit, too (usually 20x26”), though you’ll want to use the pucks as mini side tables for organizing your pieces. Bonus: You can easily turn the puzzle to work on it!

6. Storage ottoman — AKA the stash and dash. We’ve all had a friend stop by on short notice, and sometimes you want to tidy up in a hurry. Chunk™ makes a great storage ottoman in a pinch — just remove the Chunk pucks, and fill the hoop up with any clutter you’re trying to stash in a hurry. Throw the Chunk pad on top, and leave it in table mode until you’re ready to finish decluttering.

7. Easy décor glow-up. If you’ve got a grownup reading nook that needs some love, add Chunk™! With 12+ color options, everyone can find a color that suits their space. With Chunk Cover Sets, you can swap out the color any time you want a refresh!

8. WFH spot to take video calls. If you need a break from your office, try setting up Chunk™ as a table with puck chairs, and use it as a video call station. This one is especially nice if you need to work but still want to be close to your kids — Chunk is big enough for a laptop and a rousing game of cards simultaneously.

9. Reading chair. Set up your Chunk™ play ottoman in chair mode, and use the pucks as side tables for your beverages and your Want-to-Read pile.

Is the fabric as tough as upholstery fabric?

We prioritize using safe, quality materials — we’re really proud to stand behind (and sit on!) our products. We want to make sure they blend in well with grownup furniture, but can still handle anything your kids throw at ’em.

Chunk™ play ottomans come in microsuede and double-brushed microsuede. Both of our microsuede fabrics are made with a durable, high-performance polyester that holds up really well during playtime. You can read all about Nugget® fabric options here. 

Our play furniture has also earned a lot of furniture safety certifications we know you value. Our products are GREENGUARD Gold certified, and our foam is CertiPUR-US certified to exceed safety standards. We also offer a one-year warranty on Chunk™.

And here’s the best part (we think!): Chunk™ Cover Sets are machine washable, so you don’t have to stress about messes. (Liner Sets will also help safeguard your foam from liquids — check those out for a little extra peace of mind!)

So… does Chunk™ deliver on both fun and function? 

The answer is a resounding yes. It is just as amazing at being furniture as it is at inspiring play and imagination.

And we aren’t the only ones who think so. We sourced many of these ideas from Team GG, but we also discovered a few in real Chunk™ reviews from Nuggeteers like you! Chunk has 800+ five-star ratings, and many of those include photos of how our play ottoman looks and performs IRL. 

You can shop our versatile round ottoman here, or shop all Nugget® play furniture picks here.