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Want to build a DIY ottoman and looking for project ideas with instructions? Here are 58 easy step by step tutorials that will help you out.
► Our top choice: How to Make an Ottoman
You can make these easy DIY projects even on a tight budget! There’s no other piece of furniture so versatile and functional as an ottoman. It can be used just about anywhere at home, from the living room to the bedroom and sometimes even in the bathroom. It can be the perfect central accent piece of the room that all furniture is positioned around. And it can be that handy, convenient piece by the sofa for many uses.
There are many styles and forms in which this project can be made, and its use depends on it. But above all, we’d like to introduce you to the idea of building your very own piece.
How to Make an Ottoman
We’ve researched hundreds of project ideas and plans for an ottoman (we have tried several of them too). And among all of them, one idea stands out as the easiest. Here’s our plan:
The materials needed:
- Wood crate
- 2×4 boards
- A board of plywood
- Upholstery foam
- Upholstery fabric
- Hinges
- 4” wheels
- Nails, screws, and wood stain/paint
Follow these simple steps to make this ottoman:
- Cut the 2x4s to match the dimensions of the crate.
- Attach the 2x4s to the bottom of the crate on each side (these will serve as the base for wheels.)
- Cut the plywood to match the dimensions of the crate (to make a lid/seat.)
- Cut the foam and fabric to match the lid.
- Attach the fabric with foam to the plywood board with a staple gun.
- Attach the hinges to the crate, and then to the lid.
- Stain or paint the wood to your liking (or leave it as is if you like the raw wood look).
This is the easiest way to make an ottoman, and it’s very beginner-friendly. It looks good in your decor and provides hidden storage space. The only limitation is that you can only make as many different versions of a crate.
If you want more versatility, you will have to build it from scratch. Here’s a simple tutorial on how to make a DIY ottoman – it’s very well done by Home Depot.
For the more adventurous and seasoned crafters among you, we will continue to explore quite a few brilliant and creative ottoman ideas.
Electric Wire Spool DIY Ottoman
An old electric wire spool makes the perfect frame for a round ottoman. And by building it, you can be proud of reusing and recycling materials.
Coffee Table Makeover
You can use an old coffee table as the basis for a fresh new ottoman that will transform the look of your living room completely. As you can see, the process is pretty straightforward.
Upholstered Pallet DIY Ottoman
As we know perfectly well, pallet wood makes an excellent material for many DIY projects. An ottoman is not an exception, and you can build a remarkable piece of furniture with it.
IKEA Ottoman Hack
We love IKEA hacks because we can make great things from inexpensive standard furniture. Check out how this awesome tufted ottoman is made.
Tufted DIY Storage Ottoman
Storage ottomans are great in their function as well as style. Such a piece of furniture offers a lot of storage space as a unit, and it looks good in a room against the wall.
Utility Bucket DIY Ottoman
This DIY project is brilliant because it makes a lovely piece of furniture from a simple utility bucket. It’s perfect to rest your feet when placed against a sofa or a chair.
DIY Pouf
The pouf is a cozy piece of seating, and you can make one yourself too. Here’s a DIY project for a pouf for you to try.
DIY Storage Ottoman
Need more storage space? Here’s how you can build your own storage ottoman from scratch. Some wood crafting skills are required, but instructions are included.
Washtub DIY Ottoman
Of all the things that can be transformed into an ottoman, a galvanized wash tube is perhaps the most surprising. It makes a great rustic accent, though, and we love it.
Recycled Plastic Bottle DIY Ottoman
This has to be the cheapest material you can build a project from. Can you believe a bunch of plastic bottles and carton is all it takes? And of course, a fabric of your choice to make it pretty.
Repurposed Drawer DIY Ottoman
An old drawer as the frame makes the piece of furniture chic and whimsical. Try this project for a unique accent piece.
Burlap Sack DIY Ottoman
Use a burlap coffee sack to upholster. It’s a beautiful and warm rustic accent for your decor.
Repurposed Floor Mat DIY Ottoman
It doesn’t get any more simple than this. Use a floor mat as the perfect material for a pouf.
Oversize Pouf
If you like them big, you can sew this oversize pouf. Just follow the instructions for an easy DIY project.
Round Pouf
Introducing more shapes to your decor is only a good idea. So why not sew this pretty round pouf for your home.
Milk Crate DIY Ottoman
A vintage metal milk crate makes the perfect place for tired feet in need of a rest. Paired with some striped jute webbing, this ottoman will brighten up any space.
Fur-Topped DIY Ottoman
Nice legs are nice legs, right? Scour the second-hand stores for a piece with nice legs, and you are halfway to a sophisticated accent to class up a room. Reupholster the ottoman’s top with some fur, real or faux, for a touch of sophistication and luxury.
Tire and Rope DIY Ottoman
Far too many tires end up in landfills. Repurpose a tire by turning it into a functional ottoman. Covering the tire in rope and adding some legs produces a piece no one will believe was once a tire.
IKEA-Hack Fabric DIY Ottoman
Some new legs and a fresh swatch of fabric can turn a run-of-the-mill Ikea ottoman into a unique and fully functional cocktail-sized centerpiece.
Upholstered DIY Storage Ottoman
Building your storage is ideal as you can customize it to your space and storage needs. Upholster it with some lovely fabric, and you have an aesthetically pleasing and entirely practical DIY storage ottoman.
Repurposed Rug DIY Ottoman
Reupholstering with leather to give it an entirely new look is a cost-effective alternative to buying a new piece. Thinking outside the box and using a rug as an alternative to the pricey fabric can give your ottoman just a look you are after without the expensive price tag.
Tall Pouf
In decorating, there is quite simply always a solution. DIYing your pouf is easier than it seems and can give you the exact look and size you are after. Covering it with some bright sunny fabric will add just the right pop of color to your space.
Crate DIY Storage Ottoman
Wood crates are all the rage in the world of repurposing. Adding some caster wheels on the bottom make it perfect for non-carpeted floors. A nice upholstered surface makes it as comfortable as it is functional.
Structured DIY Ottoman
If you have some sewing savvy, a pouf could be your next project. Ideal for customizing to your space, your pouf ottoman is cushy and unique, with fabric hand-picked to enhance the surrounding area.
Cube Pouf
Poufs are perfect for DIYers. They are such versatile furniture pieces as they can be used as a foot-rest, a small seat, or even as a handy-dandy accent. They are also easy to relocate throughout the home. For small spaces, the pouf ottoman is a must-have.
Tufted Coffee Table
The world of repurposing is a whimsical and ever-surprising one. Anything can become anything else with a little imagination and ingenuity. Turning a table into an ottoman is perfect to achieve the look of a large-scale cocktail piece, without the hefty price tag.
Leather DIY Storage Ottoman
Some skills with the power tools, imagination, and creativity can guide you in creating a leather-upholstered tufted storage ottoman all your guests will envy.
Upholstered DIY Ottoman
Painting or spraying the legs and adding an upholstered surface takes a little time but produces a significant result.
Upholstered Boxed DIY Ottoman
Ottomans are incredibly versatile furniture pieces. They can be used as tables, seats, or footrests. Most often, all you will need is a staple gun, hand saw, and the glue gun to create your unique upholstered centerpiece.
Moroccan DIY Ottoman
The best thing about being a DIYer that you can execute precisely what your vision is. If it is some funk and whimsy you want to add to your space, a DIY ottoman upholstered in a bright and bold fabric is exactly what you need.
Salvaged Spool in Plaid DIY Ottoman
Wooden spools are very versatile as accent ottomans. Covering one with padding and fabric and adding some legs can take it from ‘spool’ to ‘cool’ in a New York minute.
Repurposed Suitcase DIY Ottoman
This is an exciting one. Haven’t you seen those super cool vintage suitcases at your local thrift shop and thought, “What exactly could I do with that, and why do I want that?” With some added legs, those suitcases can become a cool and unique storage ottoman that, via the handle, is extremely easy to relocate around the home.
Faux Fur Stool DIY Ottoman
Building your small stool is pretty basic. Taking it one step further and turning it into a functional ottoman is a fun and simple project for most DIYers to enjoy. Add some faux fur to the top for a splash of texture and luxury.
Farmhouse DIY Ottoman
Turning a decadent table into an ottoman is a fabulous way to repurpose furniture into a statement piece. If you are looking for a cocktail-sized centerpiece, this makes the perfect base.
Faux Leather DIY Ottoman
For a touch of funk, adding a gold-colored faux leather accent will get you there. It’s incredible how a cube of bling can liven up space. A cube-size faux leather ottoman is a great project for a DIYer.
Repurposed Army Footlocker DIY Ottoman
Most anything can be repurposed into a functional ottoman. An army footlocker can be the ideal size, plus the side handles make it easy to move around. Add some fabric and padding and voila!
Tufted Fabric DIY Ottoman
Few things add such a touch of sophistication a tufted fabric surface. Transforming a table into a tufted masterpiece is a DIYers dream.
Upcycled Pallet DIY Ottoman
Pallets are a great source of inexpensive wood for DIY projects. Adding some legs, padding, and fabric can turn a seemingly useless pallet into an ottoman that will be a conversation piece.
Round Pallet French Industrial DIY Ottoman
A replicated round pallet makes the perfect base to customize into a French industrial ottoman. Some metal casters, stain, fabric, and padding synergize to become the ultimate in industrial chic.
Repurposed Table DIY Ottoman
Don’t throw out that old coffee table just yet. With some imagination, fabric, and the DIY spirit, it can be transformed into a plush ottoman.
DIY Ottoman on Wheels
A piece of furniture on wheels is a great feature to have, especially in small spaces. Being able to move it around easily is a great addition to your project. So get those wheels from a hardware shop and attach them to your ottoman.
DIY Storage Ottoman for Kids
Keeping your kids’ toys stored away in an attractive storage box is great. And it’s even better if it doubles as seating or a table surface. Let’s make it fun and practical!
DIY Storage Ottoman Cube
Storage cubes make an excellent decor piece and accent. The modern style is attractive and the small design is practical. So this is a great project idea if that’s what you need.
DIY Footrest
This project is simple an brilliant in that all it takes is a wooden box to create a foot rest. It comes with storage too. You always need more of that. One word – awesome!
DIY Footstool
Do you know what you can make from a simple plastic bucket? A perfect decorative footstool. It’s so simple, it’s one of those things you wished you thought about yourself before.
Rustic DIY Storage Ottoman
We know that you need another rustic piece in your decor so here it is. The raw look of the wood and the lovely repurposed legs make this project very attractive. And it comes with mandatory storage inside.
Metal DIY Ottoman
The metal base makes this unit a little more difficult to create (it requires welding). But if that’s in your skillset, it’s a brilliant project to tackle. This particular idea comes with a whimsical coffee sack upholstering too.
DIY Ottoman Storage Bench
A long bench for an ottoman and storage is a brilliant piece of furniture to have at home (more so to make). You can put it anywhere – from the entryway to the bedroom. Where will you put yours?
Small DIY Ottoman Coffee Table
Need something simple and small like this little upholstered ottoman coffee table? It makes an easy project indeed. But don’t underestimate the decor value it has!
Large DIY Ottoman Coffee Table
Larger living rooms may need a piece of large accent furniture too. So if you need an oversize ottoman, this is one of those ideas you can try. Let’s check it out!
Wooden DIY Ottoman
This is something you can make entirely of wood. It’s a great project to tackle if you’re into woodworking. It has a nice padding-top and ample of storage inside.
Cheap DIY Ottoman
The whole idea of a DIY project is to keep your costs low. And this idea takes this to the next level – you will build it for as little as $10.
Round DIY Storage Ottoman
The round shape is classic for this type of furniture. And of course, it needs to have storage. So this lovely idea is definitely something to consider doing yourself.
DIY Ottoman Table
This piece of furniture is big enough for any larger room. It’s a full-featured table at a lower height. Indeed, this particular idea is made from an actual table.
Unique DIY Ottoman
This is a really unique ottoman idea that you can make to inject character into your decor. This particular idea makes use of quirky pom-poms. It’s a great pouf to add to your kids’ room as well.
DIY Floor Pouf
A pouf that you can keep on the floor as extra seating is not only an inexpensive option, it’s easy to make too. Here’s how.
End-of-Bed DIY Ottoman
We’ve talked about the versatility of this type of furniture and this project is proof of it. It’s an excellent option for the bedroom to keep at the end of the bed. It works as a storage unit as well as a seating space.
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