It’s challenge time again! Yay! This month, we are tackling all things Organizing! Using all sorts of baskets, boxes and bins… π For my entry this month I’m going to show you How to turn a boring storage ottoman into a one of a kind piece
You know the drill by now – because it’s our #MonthlyDIYChallenge, there are a bunch of other fab projects from our bloggy friends linked up to this post, so make sure you scroll to the links at the bottom of this post and check them all out!
If you’ve been in any big box store or high volume, mass produced furniture store in the last decade, then you know this ottoman, or at least one like it. Dated, dingy, scratched, bi-cast, faux leather – pretty much just utilitarian due to the fact that you can hide stuff inside them. Lots of people have them. Ours has been hiding under a faux fur throw rug.
Despite being borderline hideous, I’ve never considered ditching this ottoman. In fact, we’ve moved it from room to room because it’s just so dang useful. But we wanted to coordinate it with our home decor a little more. Read: rid it of the ugly factor.
Here’s what I used for this project:
- Storage ottoman (obviously hehe)
- Basic white canvas fabric
- A large scale plaid fabric
- Staple Gun
- New Furniture Legs (these are similar to mine)
- Sewing Machine (I have this one. I’m a beginner seamstress ..as in I can barely sew! and it does the job great.)
So I picked up two types of fabric – a basic white cotton canvas and a large scale plaid. The plaid is actually a vinyl weave I found in the ‘outdoor and automotive‘ section of the fabric store. I know it will wear well and stand up to the kitty/doggy/dirty people test.
I disassembled the ottoman and measured the base. It’s approximately 16×42 and about 11 inches high. So I cut two pieces of white that were 16.5×15 to allow lots of room for pull and staples. The other two pieces were 42.5×15. Then I sewed them together into a giant loop or slipcover or infinity scarf – whatever you want to call it. π
It slid over the base of the ottoman snuggly (and cuddly) and then I just used my upholstering staple gun to pull it all tight. Beauty. I made sure to make slits in the fabric in the spots where the screws would have to go.
For the top, I did the same thing, but with the plaid piece.
New real wood legs , reattach all the hinges and arms and voila! *Note* Move kitty cat from the ottoman before proceeding with hardware reattachment. π haha
Ugly bi-cast ottoman no more!
What a relief. π Now it is home in our sunroom, but there are ongoing discussions about moving this to the end of our bed.
Who knows? π Either way, for about $25 – this ottoman looks brand new. Yippee!
And see how I snuck an actual basket into these shots just to make sure I was jiving with the true Basket, Bins and Boxes theme of this challenge. LOL
You know what else is cause for celebration? The rest of these fabulous bloggers who ALL have amazing Storage Ideas for you!
Here are some other posts you might like!
This post may contain affiliate links. Our full disclosure and privacy policy is here.