How to Upholster the Storage Ottoman
Adding Upholstery to the Storage Ottoman
Previously, I posted plans to build a storage ottoman on casters and mentioned that the top could also be upholstered. I really wanted to upholster the top of the piece I built so I am sharing how to upholster the storage ottoman! It is really easy to upholster the ottoman and takes very few tools! This tutorial can apply to any ottoman where the top will be upholstered…
Materials:
- 18″ x 18″ piece of 1″ foam (<– affiliate link!)
- Upholstery batting
- Fabric of choice
- Stapler with staples (I used a pneumatic stapler)
- Gimp braid in a contrasting color
- 1 – 3/4″ screw and washer to tuft the top
- Coordinating button
Step One
The ottoman should be built at this point and the plans are easy to follow!. I used 3/4″ MDF and painted mine grey.
Lay the ottoman on the 1″ foam and trace the shape of the top. Cut out the shape with a pair of scissors and position the foam on the ottoman.
Step Two
Lay the batting and fabric on top of the foam. Secure the batting and fabric to the top of ottoman in four places, pulling the fabric taut as it is stapled. Place the staples in the middle of the edge if possible! Since the storage ottoman is round, I stapled the batting and fabric just above the point where the dividers meet the top.
Step Three
Continue stapling the fabric to the edge, pulling it taut as it is being stapled. The goal is to fill the entire circumference of the ottoman with staples. This will keep the upholstery uniform, and will keep it from pulling out.
Step Four
Use a razor blade or a box knife to trim the excess batting and fabric away, cutting it just below the staples.
Step Five
Use a hot glue gun to secure the gimp braid around the edge covering the staples.
Step Six
Locate the very center of the top, and insert a screw with a washer to tuft the upholstery. Glue a decorative button over the screw or use a piece of the excess fabric and a covered button kit to create a button that matches perfectly!
Adding an upholstered top to a bench, chair, or ottoman is really easy – each piece uses the same concept of pulling the fabric taut and stapling it, then covering the staples with trim or upholstery nails. If you do a lot of upholstery projects, I recommend purchasing a pneumatic upholstery stapler. They are very inexpensive and I love mine! Have any questions about how to upholster the storage ottoman? Leave a comment below or contact me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!
Originally posted 2014-08-01 08:00:31.
