How to Build a DIY Ottoman: 7 Types of Ottomans

Ottomans are short pieces of furniture that are commonly used as footstools, stools, or end tables. They are also called tuffets, hassocks, or poufs. They are often upholstered and may be sold in a set with armchairs and sofas. Larger ottomans may be added to sectional couches for extra comfort or storage.

Ottomans are originally from Turkey, which was part of the Ottoman Empire (hence the name), and were introduced to Europe in the eighteenth century. Building your own DIY storage ottoman is a quick project that doesn’t require power tools or too much of your time. Homemade tufted ottomans can be used as a convenient space for storage, or extra seating.

Ottomans come in many forms and styles. Below are some examples of a few of the most popular types of ottomans.

1. 1. Storage ottomans: Storage ottomans have a removable or hinged lid on top and storage space inside for keeping blankets, pillows, tv remotes, or board games. Some storage ottomans will come with drawers.
2. 2. Upholstered ottoman: Upholstered ottomans have an interior structure that is concealed with cushion and fabric. These are typically used as footstools or as add-ons to large, sectional pieces of furniture.
3. 3. Coffee table: Coffee table ottomans (also called ‘cocktail ottomans’) have a hard tabletop surface that can hold drinks, dishes, or magazines. They can be used as footstools and coffee tables.
4. 4. Gliders: Glider ottomans are often made of wood, and are designed to move back and forth as accent pieces to rocking chairs. They are popular furnishings in nurseries and simulate the movement of a swing seat.
5. 5. Rattans: A rattan ottoman has a woven wicker base typically made from rattan, a type of palm that is used to create baskets and other pieces of furniture. Rattan ottomans are often used as outdoor furniture because they are more weather-proof than upholstery.
6. 6. Repurposed: Repurposed or upcycled ottomans can be made from vintage milk crates, wooden pallets, or even an old coffee table. Finish them off with a mattress topper and some upholstery fabric to give your old piece of furniture a makeover.
7. 7. Poufs: A pouf ottoman (sometimes spelled ‘pouffe’) is a floor cushion that functions as an ottoman, but is made only of upholstery and stuffing. They are typically smaller than standard ottomans and are not always ideal for sitting because they don’t have an interior framework.

There are many ways to incorporate an ottoman into your family room or living space. Below are just some uses for these versatile pieces of furniture.

1. 1. Footstools: Ottomans are often paired with sofas or armchairs to be used as footrests.
2. 2. Coffee tables: You can use an ottoman in lieu of a coffee or side table to put drinks or snacks on. Ottomans tend to take up less space than coffee tables, so they’re great for small spaces.
3. 3. Chairs: Ottomans were originally piled-up cushions that people could sit on for comfort. They can still make excellent stools for sitting when space becomes tight.
4. 4. Containers: Some ottomans have an empty interior with a removable top so that they can be used as storage space. You can keep extra pillows, blankets, and magazines in there to easily access at any time.

Below are the materials you will need to construct your own upholstered storage ottoman.

1. 1. Cardboard: You’ll need a few pieces of cardboard to make the framework for your ottoman. You’ll need several circular pieces of cardboard to make the base and top of your ottoman. Also, you’ll need a long, rectangular piece of cardboard to wrap around the ottoman’s base to make the structure’s walls.
2. 2. Upholstery fabric: You will need a few yards of a fabric that you want to cover your ottoman in.
3. 3. Dowel rods: Dowel rods will reinforce the inside of your ottoman to prevent the cardboard from collapsing.
4. 4. Project foam: Project foam will go around your ottoman frame under your upholstery fabric to give your piece some cushion.
5. 5. Buttons: You’ll use buttons to embellish your ottoman after it is covered with fabric.
6. 6. Staple gun: You’ll need a staple gun to attach your fabric to your ottoman upholstery.
7. 7. Scissors: Scissors are necessary to cut your foam for staple holes, and make the holes in your project foam for your buttons.
8. 8. Adhesive: You’ll need both spray adhesive and crazy glue to fasten your fabric and upholstery to your ottoman frame.
9. 9. Tape measure: You’ll need a tape measure to take note of the amount of materials you’re working with.

Now that you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to build your no-sew DIY ottoman. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to build a tufted ottoman with storage inside.

1. 1. Cut out the top and bottom. Using a few large, thick pieces of cardboard, trace out two circles to the desired size of your ottoman. Glue these together to create the bottom of your ottoman. Repeat this step to create the top.
2. 2. Make the body of your ottoman. Cut a rectangle of cardboard to a width of about 15 inches. The length of this piece will depend on the circumference of your ottoman. Score the piece of cardboard carefully so that you can easily bend the rectangle into a cylinder.
3. 3. Attach your ottoman base and body together. Take one of the circular pieces of cardboard and hot glue the center cylinder around it. For extra support, take ten to fifteen wooden dowel rods (cut to the height of your ottoman) and hot glue these to the base of your ottoman to hold the walls up.
4. 4. Glue your project foam to the outside. Cut a piece of high-density foam to roughly the same size as the piece of cardboard that makes the walls of your ottoman. First, mark the piece of foam with a pencil to identify where you want to make your tufts. Attach this foam to the outside of your ottoman with hot glue or adhesive spray.
5. 5. Cover your ottoman walls with upholstery fabric and staple. Pull a piece of fabric tightly over the entire ottoman and staple it to your ottoman walls where you marked your tufts. You will be covering these staples with your buttons to make your tufts. Finish by stapling the fabric to the base of your ottoman.
6. 6. Make your lid. When the base and center of your ottoman are finished, cover the top circular piece of cardboard with upholstery foam and then fabric. Staple these in the same manner as you did the sides of the ottoman.
7. 7. Decorate and finish. Cover each staple with a dab of hot glue and then stick on your buttons. Your ottoman is finished.

Whether you’re building a DIY ottoman from scratch or making over an old piece of furniture, upholstering an ottoman is a process that involves some care. Here is how to upholster an ottoman.

1. 1. Remove the feet or legs of your ottoman. If your ottoman has feet or legs, you’ll want to remove them so that you can properly attach your fabric around the body of the piece.
2. 2. Upholster the top. Take the lid of your old ottoman and lay it upside down on a flat sheet of fabric. Cut your new fabric around the top so that there are a few inches of excess in each direction.
3. 3. Wrap and staple. Carefully wrap your new fabric around the lid of your ottoman, making sure the corners are neatly and uniformly folded as you would with a bedsheet over a mattress. Staple the new fabric to the bottom of your lid.
4. 4. Cut your fabric for the middle section. For the body of your ottoman, measure out a long piece of your new fabric large enough to wrap around the center of your ottoman. Leave an extra inch or two for seam allowance.
5. 5. Secure with staples on the sides and bottom. Wrap the fabric tightly around the center and fasten with staples on the top (beneath the lid) and the bottom edge. Again, be sure the bottom corners are folded neatly and uniformly.
6. 6. Finish and enjoy. Add the feet or the caster wheels back onto the bottom of your newly upholstered ottoman and flip it over. Place back in your living or family room, throw your feet up, and relax!

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