DIY Furniture Plans to Build an Upholstered Ottoman

An Ottoman to Match the Upholstered Chair

Any good, comfortable chair needs a matching ottoman… The DIY furniture plans to build an upholstered ottoman feature wood legs (you can make them yourself – see the Materials list) and a 4″ cushion on top of a wood frame. The support for the cushion can be made with Elasbelt webbing, jute webbing or 1/4″ plywood.

For a professional touch, the edges of the frame are covered with edgeroll (so the hard edges are concealed under the upholstery), and the foam cushion is wrapped with upholstery batting (also known as “cushion wrap”). A slip cover is sewn to cover the cushion and frame, then is stapled to the underside of the frame. In case you want to build it, the upholstered chair is really easy!

Materials:

• 4 – 13″ Furniture Legs (This post on building your own chair legs is very helpful!)
• 4 – 2×4 at 13-1/2″ Long (Frame)
• 2-1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
• Elasbelt or Jute Webbing (approx. 4 yards) OR 1 – 18″ x 18″ piece of 1/4″ Plywood
• Webbing Stretcher
• 4 yds. of Edgeroll
• 1 – 18″ x 18″ x 4″ Piece of Foam (or 2 – 18″ x 18″ x 2″ pieces)
• Roll of Upholstery Batting or Cushion Wrap
• 1″ Foam (2 – 22″ x 22″ cushions will work!)
• 1 yd. Upholstery Fabric
• Staple Gun & Staples

Step One

Cut the pieces for the ottoman frame. With the pocket hole jig set for 1-1/2″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the framing pieces to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut six pieces of Elasbelt or jute webbing at 22″ long each. Staple three of the pieces along the top of one of the framing pieces with about 2″ hanging over the side. Use the webbing stretcher to pull the webbing and secure it to the opposite side. The webbing should be snug. The photo is actually the seat of the upholstered chair (I forgot to photograph this step).

The remaining webbing will be woven through the first three pieces, and secured to the frame in the same manner.

For the plywood option:

Cut a piece of 1/4″ plywood at 18″ x 18″ and secure it to the top of the frame using brad nails or staples.

Step Three

The edgeroll has a lip on it that will be secured to the top of the frame all the way around (the edge of the lip will be flush with the inside edge of the frame).  It is then rolled over the edge of the frame and secured to all four outer sides of the frame.

Cut pieces of edgeroll to fit between the legs, securing it to the bottom edge in the same manner as the top edge (the lip of the edgeroll will be secured to the bottom face of the frame).

Step Four

Cut 3-1/2″ strips of 1″ foam to cover the sides of the frame. The strips will fit between the edgeroll on the top and bottom of the frame.

Step Five

Place the foam for the cushion on top of the webbing or plywood. Cut 4″ strips of 1″ foam to fill out the sides of the cushion and make it flush with the edgeroll. Cut a piece of upholstery batting to lay on top of the foam and drape over each side to the bottom of the frame.

Step Six

Cut a piece of upholstery fabric measuring approximately 20-1/2″ square. Cut a strip of the fabric 10″ wide and long enough to go around the outside of the 20-1/2″ square (the strips may be sewn together to make a longer strip). Pin the strip along the edges of the square, cutting a slit in the strip for the corners. Sew the strip to the square using a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Place the cover over the foam, batting and edgeroll, and secure it to the underside of the frame over the lip of the edgeroll using staples.

Have questions about the DIY furniture plans to build an upholstered ottoman? Leave a comment below!