How to Reupholster an Ottoman: A Complete DIY Guide

How to Reupholster an Ottoman - Discover step-by-step guidance on how to reupholster an ottoman and give your furniture a stunning transformation. Learn practical DIY upholstery techniques, fabric selection tips, and cost-saving tricks to refresh your living space. Perfect for anyone seeking ottoman makeover ideas and inspiration to create a stylish, personalized piece for any room.

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There's something deeply satisfying about rescuing a forgotten piece of furniture from the corner of your room and transforming it into the star of your living space. That worn-out ottoman with fraying edges and outdated fabric doesn't need to end up in a landfill—it needs a second chance. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans discard over 12 million tons of furniture annually, yet many of these pieces have sturdy frames that could serve families for decades more with just a fresh covering. Reupholstering an ottoman is one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can tackle, combining creativity with practical skills while saving money and reducing waste.

Why Reupholster an Ottoman?

Every piece of furniture tells a story, and that ottoman sitting in your room likely holds memories worth preserving. Maybe it's been in your family for years, or perhaps you found it at a thrift store and fell in love with its solid construction despite its tired appearance. Whatever the case, reupholstering breathes new life into these forgotten treasures.

The benefits extend far beyond sentimentality. Professionally reupholstering furniture can cost $200-500 or more, while a DIY project typically runs $30-80 depending on your fabric choice. You'll also gain complete control over the design, choosing fabrics that perfectly complement your décor rather than settling for whatever's available in stores.

From an environmental perspective, reupholstering makes tremendous sense. Quality ottoman frames can last generations, but the fabric covering might only survive 5-10 years of regular use. By learning this skill, you're participating in a more sustainable approach to home decorating that prioritizes longevity over disposability.

Tools and Materials You'll Need

Success in any project starts with proper preparation. Gathering the right tools beforehand saves frustration and ensures professional-looking results. Here's what you'll need for your ottoman makeover:

Essential Tools:

• Heavy-duty staple gun with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch staples
• Sharp fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Screwdriver set for removing hardware
• Needle-nose pliers for removing old staples
• Measuring tape
• Seam ripper (if needed)

Materials:

• Upholstery fabric (calculate 1.5-2 yards for most ottomans)
• High-density foam or batting for padding
• Dust cover fabric (optional but recommended)
• Upholstery thread for any hand-sewing

When selecting fabric, durability matters more than you might think. Look for upholstery-weight materials with a thread count of at least 15,000 double rubs—this rating indicates how well the fabric withstands wear. Cotton canvas, linen blends, and synthetic materials like microfiber all work well for ottomans that see regular use.

Preparing Your Ottoman

Before diving into the fun part, you'll need to carefully dismantle your ottoman to assess what you're working with. Start by flipping the piece upside down and photographing the underside—this documentation will prove invaluable during reassembly.

Remove any legs or decorative elements that might interfere with your work. Most ottoman legs simply screw off, though some might require removing brackets or clips first. Keep all hardware in a labeled container so nothing gets lost in your workspace.

Next comes the archaeological phase: carefully removing the old fabric. Use your pliers to pull out staples, working systematically around the ottoman's perimeter. Don't rush this step—the old fabric pieces serve as perfect patterns for cutting your new material. As you remove each section, lay it flat and note which part of the ottoman it covered.

Inspect the foam or batting underneath. If it's compressed, crumbling, or has an unpleasant odor, replacement is worth the extra investment. Fresh padding makes an enormous difference in both comfort and appearance, creating that plump, professional look that distinguishes quality upholstery work.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Reupholster an Ottoman

Step 1: Disassemble the Ottoman Start by removing legs, casters, or any decorative elements. Keep screws and hardware organized in small containers, and take photos of the assembly process for reference during reassembly.

Step 2: Remove Old Upholstery Work methodically to remove old staples using needle-nose pliers. Save the old fabric pieces—they're your patterns for cutting new material. Notice how corners were folded and which edges were stapled first; this information guides your installation process.

Step 3: Cut New Fabric Lay your old fabric pieces on the new material, adding 3-4 inches on all sides for stapling allowance. For patterned fabrics, pay attention to pattern direction and centering. Cut with sharp scissors to prevent fraying, and mark each piece with chalk to identify its placement.

Step 4: Add New Batting or Foam If replacing padding, cut foam slightly larger than the ottoman top, allowing it to compress under the fabric for a rounded edge. Layer batting over foam for an extra-smooth finish. Spray adhesive helps keep layers in position during fabric installation.

Step 5: Staple Fabric in Place Begin with the largest piece, typically the top. Center the fabric and pull it taut—but not tight enough to distort any pattern. Start stapling in the center of one side, then move to the opposite side, pulling firmly. Work outward toward corners, maintaining even tension.

Step 6: Finish Corners and Edges Corners require the most attention for professional results. Fold fabric like wrapping a present, creating neat hospital corners. Trim excess fabric to reduce bulk, but leave enough material to ensure staples have adequate grip.

Step 7: Reattach Legs or Hardware Once all fabric is secured, reinstall legs and any decorative elements. Check that all screws are tight and that the ottoman sits level on your floor.

Design Ideas for Your Ottoman Makeover

Your fabric choice transforms not just the ottoman's appearance but the entire room's personality. Bold geometric patterns create modern focal points, while classic florals add timeless elegance. Consider your room's existing color palette, but don't be afraid to introduce an unexpected element that adds visual interest.

Solid colors offer versatility and longevity—they won't clash with future décor changes and provide a neutral foundation for throw pillows or blankets. Deep jewel tones like emerald or sapphire create luxury, while lighter shades help small spaces feel more open.

For families with children or pets, performance fabrics deserve serious consideration. These materials resist stains and clean easily while maintaining the look and feel of traditional upholstery. Many come in sophisticated patterns that don't sacrifice style for practicality.

Adding decorative trim, contrasting piping, or button tufting elevates your project from simple recovery to custom design. These details require additional time and skill but create truly unique pieces that reflect your personal style.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learning from others' experiences saves time and frustration. The most frequent error involves fabric selection—choosing material that's too lightweight for furniture use. Clothing-weight fabrics might look beautiful initially but won't withstand the stress of regular sitting and won't maintain their shape over time.

Inadequate fabric allowance creates problems during installation. Always add 3-4 inches beyond your measurements for proper stapling. It's easier to trim excess than to stretch insufficient material, and attempting to make too-small pieces work results in visible stress points and eventual failure.

Rushing through corner finishing shows in the final result. Take time to fold corners neatly, trim excess bulk, and ensure fabric lies smooth. These details separate amateur work from professional-quality results.

Finally, skipping the dust cover—the fabric underneath the ottoman—might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it protects your work from dust and gives the piece a finished appearance. Future owners (including yourself) will appreciate this thoughtful touch.

Caring for Your Newly Upholstered Ottoman

Proper maintenance extends your hard work for years to come. Vacuum regularly using an upholstery attachment to remove dust and debris before it settles into the fabric weave. Address spills immediately by blotting—never rubbing—with clean cloths.

Rotate your ottoman periodically if it receives uneven use. This practice prevents wear patterns from developing in high-traffic areas and maintains a consistent appearance across the entire surface.

Consider applying fabric protection spray designed for upholstery. These products create invisible barriers that repel liquids and resist staining without changing the fabric's appearance or texture. Reapply annually or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Keep pets' nails trimmed and provide scratching alternatives to protect your investment. While most upholstery fabrics resist normal wear, sharp claws can snag even the most durable materials.

Conclusion

Completing your first ottoman reupholstery project delivers satisfaction that extends far beyond the finished piece sitting in your room. You've gained valuable skills, saved money, and prevented perfectly good furniture from entering the waste stream. More importantly, you've discovered that creating beautiful, functional pieces for your home doesn't require professional training—just patience, attention to detail, and willingness to learn.

Your newly transformed ottoman represents more than updated décor; it embodies the pride that comes from creating something beautiful with your own hands. Every time family and friends compliment your handiwork, you'll remember the process that brought this piece back to life.

The skills you've developed with this project transfer to other furniture pieces throughout your home. That dining chair with torn fabric, the antique footstool in the attic, or the perfectly comfortable recliner with outdated upholstery—they're all candidates for similar transformations.

Take photos of your finished project and share them with others who might be inspired to tackle their own furniture revival projects. Your success story could be exactly what someone needs to rescue their own forgotten furniture treasures and discover the joy of DIY upholstery.