Making your own DIY ottoman isn’t very hard – but it’s not always budget friendly. But we wanted one, so I had to figure out how to do it on the cheap. I started mine with a coffee table I found at Goodwill – but you could definitely make your own coffee table and start there. Either way, making your own DIY ottoman is a great way to add a little comfort to your space.
HOW TO MAKE A DIY OTTOMAN FROM A COFFEE TABLE
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I thought long and hard about building my own base, until I found this coffee table at Goodwill for $10 – which was cheaper than building one, score!
I wasn’t a fan of the orange-toned wood, so I gave it a couple of coats of flat white spray paint to give it a more cottage look.
If I were smarter, I would have run it though my table saw to shave 2 inches off each end before painting – but sometimes my brain gets ahead of itself, so I had to wait until mine was dry, #notsosmart. It’s all good, though, because after covering it, you won’t see a thing!
This is my big secret – the foam mattress pad. Typically to buy a huge old chunk of foam from the fabric store, it would have been about $100, plus you still need the batting & spray. But a mattress pad is only $10 – that’s a big savings! I actually had the spray adhesive on hand, but you only need a little – and you’ll also need some quilt batting.
Spray a layer of adhesive to keep the foam in place securely.
The mattress pad was large enough for 3 layers, so the first layer is with the wavy side down. Then spray adhesive and put the second layer wavy side up, sprayed again and put wavy side down, so it was smooth on top. Somehow I didn’t have photos of the other two layers – oops! Just remember that you want the top smooth. Then trim each layer all the way around to make it all neat.
And that’s how I made a DIY ottoman from a coffee table. Have you ever made one?
Looks awesome! Reminds me of my coffee table ottoman but I used a crib mattress and mine is not tailored like yours! Looks superb!!
I LOVE it! I have always wanted to do this but I still haven’t found the perfect table to transform!
Great job and at a fraction of the cost. I give you 9 out of 9! 😀
Beautiful! you did such a great job and i love the piping it gives it a really expensive looking finish.
GREAT job. The piping really gives it a polished look. You nailed it, girl! xo Diana
Beautiful job, Gina! I agree with the others, the piping gives it such a tailored look.
Great tip on the mattress padding versus the premade foam! Blessings, Tammy
Adorable and it looks so nice.
Who doesn’t love a frugal project that looks rich? The mattress pad trick is a keeper! Thanks for another great tutorial.
This is great, Gina! I admire your sewing skills–but mostly I admire your gumption! I, too, use foam mattress pads as my upholstery “secret.” I first made upholstered headboards for my guest room back in 2006, and I used an old mattress pad I had stuffed in the attic. It has held up great for six years now! And the ottoman I made for my front porch is padded with an old mattress pad, too–it’s held up through thick and thin, winter and summer, since 2009. I re-covered it because I wanted to change the look of it, but when I removed the fabric, the foam mattress pad underneath is still in perfect shape! Kudos to WalMart for carrying so many useful items for such low prices.
That turned out so stinkin cute, what an adorable piece. Loving the room and how it is shaping up:)
Wow! Very Very Nice. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
Love it! I’ve never seen this idea before, now you have me thinking!
Girl that looks great and I could do it all except make the slip cover top which I want to learn how to do
you scored for sure with the coffee table
I have been waiting for months to find a twin egg-crate pad on sale to make a headboard (yes, I’m THAT cheap!) And just this past weekend scored not just one, but also a queen sized foam pad as well, at a yard sale for $1 for BOTH. I practically danced back to my car. Now I have no excuse – gotta start working. Ottoman looks awesome!
Looks fantastic. I’m thinking of making a bench for my dining room, love your mattress pad idea.
xo…moNICa
I just adore your blog!! So inspiring! Makes me want to run to Goodwill, grab some paint, and go to town!
Love this! I also the idea of using a mattress pad! Genius! I just picked up an oval coffee table with fun Queen Ann legs for $10.00 that I plan on turning into an ottoman. I am so glad I found this on Pinterest! I will be watching for foam mattress pads now. Thanks again! Looks wonderful!
http://www.the-finishing-touches.net/
You turned “good bones” into an amazing piece! Love the piping. And, of course white paint makes everything better…
Thanks so much Kat and I do so agree with you about the beauty of white paint!!