Do-It-Yourself Ottoman
- 1). Stand four of the plywood squares upright and adjust the pieces to form a box. Ask someone to hold the pieces securely in shape.
- 2). Hammer nails along each corner every 4 inches to secure the box shape.
- 3). Set one of the remaining squares over the box to form the base of the ottoman. Align the edges of the square with the sides of the box to make them flush.
- 4). Set nails around the edge of the bottom square and into the box frame every 4 inches.
- 5). Sand both the inside and outside sides of the box, as well as its bottom, until the wood is smooth to the touch.
- 6). Select a wood stain or paint color that coordinates with the colors in your fabric and use a bristle or foam paintbrush to apply the stain or paint in long strokes over the outside walls of the ottoman. Start at the top opening of the box and work toward the bottom. Set the box aside to dry for one to two hours.
- 7). Spread the square of fabric with the patterned side face-down onto your workspace.
- 8). Center the piece of foam over the fabric, and set your last remaining square board over the foam.
- 9). Pull the edges of the fabric up around the foam to the upper surface of the board and use a staple gun to secure the fabric to the board; space each staple 1 inch apart. Maintain an even tension on the fabric to pull the foam securely to the board.
- 10
Attach a caster to each corner of the bottom of the box according to the directions for your type of caster. Typically, you'll either drill a single hole into the corner and screw the caster into place, or you'll hold the caster to the corner and insert screws through holes in the caster's frame. - 11
Flip the ottoman box over so that it rests on the casters. Place the padded, fabric-covered board over the opening in the top of the box with the covered foam side facing up. - 12
Attach the lid of the ottoman to its base with hinges, if desired, by securing two evenly spaced hinges to the board on the underside of the lid. Rest the lid along one side of the box and attach the opposite ends of the hinges to the inside wall of the ottoman.