How to Decorate Interior Ottomans

Interior ottomans are a place to put your feet up and can serve as extra seating. Your ottoman might even have storage capacity. You may have neutral furniture in your living room and want to spice up your set. Use a patterned ottoman to add vibrancy to your space. Since ottomans are such popular decor items, you might want something different from what you see in your neighbor's home. Decorate your ottoman for a one-of-a-kind conversation piece that is useful. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Reupholster the ottoman. This is a good beginning upholstery project. Add extra batting to the stool so it's more comfortable. Place fabric over the ottoman and staple it underneath. New fabric can spruce up an older ottoman. You can also find a fabric that compliments your living room set. If upholstery isn't for you, then shop for a slipcover. Find one that fits your ottoman snugly. These are often made for square ottomans or cubes.

2

Stain the feet of the ottoman. The feet are probably so small that no one will notice what color they are. Stain or paint them to match the existing finish on the tables in your room for a cohesive look. If you want a funky ottoman, try a zebra print fabric with hot pink legs. Ottomans are so inexpensive that you can afford to have fun with the project.

3

Keep it useful. Your guests will probably put their feet up on the ottoman regardless of what you prefer they do. Consider how you use the ottoman when you pick out fabric. A strong corduroy or faux leather is ideal if you plan to use it as a footstool. If your ottoman is for storage, keep it that way. Upholster the cover of the ottoman separately from the bottom of the piece so it can still be used as a box. This helps the interior of your home seem less cluttered. You can quickly hide the kid's toys in the ottoman when guests drop by unexpectedly.

4

Add trim. This is the finishing touch to decorating your ottoman. Match the style of the fabric. For a Tuscan room, finish the ottoman with colorful tassel trim. If your ottoman is in a sophisticated library, finish the edges with a nail head trim. This makes your ottoman seem like a designer piece.

5

Accessorize the ottoman. Put a tray on the interior ottoman. This lets you place drinks on the furniture the way you would with a traditional coffee table. Drape a throw across the ottoman for a splash of color.