Ottoman Project Ideas

An ottoman is generally thought of as a place to put up your feet when you need to relax, but ottomans can be made into useful multipurpose household spaces, too. Whether you are looking to spruce up an existing ottoman or make a new one, there are many different tricks and techniques you can use to make a special and comfortable ottoman for your living room. Does this Spark an idea?

Sew a Slipcover

Freshen up an old ottoman by sewing a perfectly fitting slip-cover for it. Sewing an ottoman cover is a great beginner sewing project. Purchase 2 to 3 yards of a fabric you like and about 3 yards of decorative trim. Try choosing a playful patterned fabric that coordinates with, but does not match, the colors of your existing furniture to bring a touch of whimsy to the room.

Re-Cover Without Sewing

Some fabric and a staple-gun are all you need to make a no-sew cover for your ottoman. These are perfect if you are short on time, don't have a sewing machine or just don't care about stapling into your furniture. A few yards of decorative cording or trim can help disguise any potential defects in your fabric-folding technique. Drape the cording around the edges or trim the bottom of the ottoman with them to draw the eye away from wrinkles in the fabric's draping.

Make-Over an Old Table

Making ottomans is the perfect project for rehabbing old, cheap and worn-down garage-sale or thrift-store tables. Any low old table will do. Look for tables with decorative legs for a more interesting look to the final ottoman, but don't worry about how damaged the tabletop is. You'll be covering the top with a few inches of foam to make a cushion, anyway. Cover the foam with a fabric you love and sew a few buttons in pulling off a more finished look for your re-purposed table-turned-ottoman.

Construct a Recycled Ottoman

Ever wonder what to do with all your cardboard boxes after a move? Try re-purposing those boxes by cutting up the sides into the shape of a pair of table legs. Cut out a bunch of these pairs of "legs" and glue them all together back-to-back. The bigger you want your ottoman to be, the more cardboard you will need. Finish with a pre-made cushion on top or make your own with 4-inch-thick foam padding and a piece of cool recycled fabric for a very thrifty and environmentally friendly ottoman.

Another idea for a recycled ottoman is to make one by screwing table legs into the bottom of a retro suitcase. Sew a cushion the same size as the top of your suitcase and glue it on top for an ottoman with a special vintage feel, and take comfort knowing that you used all recycled materials.

Build a Storage Ottoman

If you are feeling particularly handy and have access to tools, build a storage ottoman completely from scratch. Your storage ottoman can function as a window-seat when pushed out of the way for parties, and can serve as a toy chest, magazine storage or general catch-all for clutter in the living room. With a polished, finished look, guests will never know what child's mess hides inside.