How to Turn a Coffee Table Into an Ottoman

Old furniture like coffee tables can be repurposed to serve a new function. If you have a coffee table that no longer serves its function, but you don't have the heart to throw it away, make into an ottoman for your living room or den. In addition to saving you money, you will also create a piece of furniture that fits specifically with your decor. Provided that you have a coffee table that's not taller than your couch, this may be the simplest way to bring a new piece into your decor. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Prep your coffee table by sanding it, so that it'll be simpler to paint it if you wish to do that. The legs you might need to sand by hand if they have intricate carved designs; use a sander for the top of the table.

2

Measure the amount of material you'll need to complete this project and cut it out. Be sure to include not only the width and length of the coffee table but also some extra room. The upholstery material will need to be sufficient to cover the cushions as well as the coffee table. Cut the Dacron at this time as well.

3

Paint the coffee table, choosing a color that matches the decorating motif in the room in which you'll place the ottoman. This is one piece of furniture that you can afford to add a little color and design to since it's a decorative accessory. Therefore, in addition to painting it, you may want to consider additional decorative elements like stencils to create a Moroccan look or decoupage designs for a country look. (See Resources for decoupage information.)

4

Allow the paint to dry according to the instructions on the paint can. It's important that you allow the table to dry thoroughly. Otherwise, the paint may stick to the cushion and the upholstery you're putting on the ottoman.

5

Mark the foam that you'll use for the cushion so that it fits the top of the table. If you want an ottoman with a thick pad on top, you may have to cut more than one piece of foam and stack the pieces together when you're assembling it.

6

Cut the foam.

7

Stack the foam pieces onto the table and secure them under a layer of Dacron. (Dacron is a type of material which will hold the cushions in place.) Use upholstery tacks to keep the Dacron in place until you can staple it down with the stapler. The idea behind this is keep the cushions from sliding around on the top of the ottoman.

8

Remove the tacks and staple down the Dacron.

9

Place the upholstery material on top of the ottoman and secure it in place with the upholstery tacks. Make sure that you tuck the extra material under the bottom of the table out of sight. You may have to fold the material in the four corners, like a present, so that it doesn't bunch up.

10

Staple the material in place and remove the tacks.