How To Make a No-Sew Round Ottoman–Part 1

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that from time to time I take a no sew project from my book, Instant Decorating and update it.   This is one of those projects – a no sew round ottoman that you make using wood and fabric. 

Ottoman-Love-Inspiration

Ottomans are one of my favorite pieces of furniture (I have made another here). I  love them as they are so versatile and can be used for more than resting your feet.  Place a tray on top and it becomes a table. Put wheels on the bottom and it can easily be moved around the room when extra seating is needed as they are low profile and don’t take up much “visual” space  and best of all they just look pretty in any room.

Book--Instant-Decorating

I am currently updating it with new fabric. In this post I will show you how I made the base.   I will post Part 2 in a few days.    I want my new updated ottoman to look like the beige and white one from my inspiration file.

This is not the first makeover of this ottoman –  since it is a no sew project -it’s the third fabric change since it made the cover of my book.    When it is finished, I am going to use it as a seat for my bedroom desk.

How to Make a No Sew Ottoman

supplies needed:

  • One 12-inch x 1-inch x 6-foot pine board – have lumber yard cut the board into two 16 3/4-inch pieces and two 14 3/4-inch pieces.
  • One 24-inch decorator round wood tabletop
  • 24-inch square 3-inch thick piece of high density foam
  • Eight 1-inch wood screws
  • Eight 1/2 to 1-inch wood screws
  • Four 1-inch corner brackets or angle irons
  • Screwdriver
  • 4 wheels

How-to-assemble-ottoman-bas

This is what the ottoman I built looks like after the fabric and foam top were removed.  Decorator table top is used as the top of square base.  Wheels attached to bottom of base.

Use 1-inch screws to attach the boards as shown in diagram.  (Figure 1)

DIY base to make a round ottoman

How-to-make-a-no-sew-ottoma

Add metal corner braces/angle irons to each inside corner with 1/2-inch screws. (Figure 2)

corner-brackets-on-base

wheel-base

close-up-of-screwed-on-corn

Place table round on base and center. using 1-inch screws, attach to top of base. (Figure 3)

Center-tabletop-on-base-and

Lay the foam on the floor and place the base upside down on it. Trace the outline of the top and then cut out using an electric kitchen knife that you use at Thanksgiving to slice the turkey. *I have a more detailed post about cutting and buying foam here.

How-to-make-an-ottoman

side-view-of-completed-base

Part 2:  How to cover the ottoman base with fabric:

How to Make a No-Sew Round Ottoman, Part 2

Complete DIY Rolling Ottoman with No-Sew Cover. #Ottoman #DIY #NoSew #DIYProjects

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44 Comments

  1. I have a rectangle one and would love to redo it like this. Something about the round ones is just so nice. Be cool to your the l shape brackets to make the top come up.

  2. Lassy Motsi says:

    Hi, hope this message finds you well , I would like to request the designs of your ottoman if possible please.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Lassy –

      Thanks for reading my blog. Sorry, but I don’t sell designs or plans for the ottoman. I just have the tutorial that explains how I made it from the wood I used down to the fabric. If you read both posts – Part 1 and Part 2 – you should get a good understanding on how to make the ottoman. If you do have any questions – just ask in a comment.

  3. Thank you so much for your prompt response. Hopefully I can make this soon and share it if it looks half as good as yours!

  4. Where can we get the round piece cut if we don’t have the tools? Your ottoman looks awesome!! I’m going to have a go at it.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi HG – The round wood I used was from a decorator’s table top.I didn’t have to cut it at all. I used it right out of the box and threw the legs that come with it away They tables are sold inexpensively at places like Bed Bath and Beyond and JC Penny’s or most stores that sell table cloths and decor items. They come in two different sizes.

  5. I would love to make a slipcover for my half-round ottoman, like the blue one in the picture.I have looked everywhere but cannot find a tutorial or even a pattern. Do you have a link to instructions for the one you did? Does anyone have a pattern?

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Andrea – I did email you, but wanted to also tell you that you may not need a pattern. Just a thought, look at some slipcovering basics. If you know how to sew, it is not hard and no pattern is needed, especially for an ottoman. It is mostly laying fabric right side down over the ottoman, pinning to fit, and running back and forth to the sewing machine as you work and sew each section. Hope this helps you.

  6. Hi, Diane! I’m kind of new to your blog. I’ve been doing research for some distressed painting I want to do and thoroughly read your comparisons of chalk paint. Those are AMAZING and super helpful to obsessive researchers like me. ;-) Anyway, I’m about ready to start painting and was coming back for the exact recipe I wanted when I saw this DIY on the sidebar. I have beed thinking of making an exact faux ottoman like this with some things I had lying around the house! I’m so happy to have found a tutorial however so, I can see how it turned out and avoid unnecessary mistakes. Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge and experience with the rest of us! :-)

  7. Brenda Bowles says:

    How do you make a foot stool out of a small trampolene?

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Brenda – Did you do a Google search for it? You may find someone that has done it. They only thing I can think of is you could use a big round dog bed for the center padding and then cover it with fabric. Make the skirt and attach it with Velcro to the side of the trampoline. If it has any wood in it -you could use staples to attach the skirt like I did on the ottoman I made.

  8. Josephine says:

    I do accept as true with all the ideas you’ve presented for your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for beginners. May you please prolong them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  9. I made a ottoman simular to yours with the storage box bottom. My son was “redoing” my bath room cabinets and we put in round sinks. I used the wooden circle cut out of the cabinet top (for the sink) as the lid and hinged it to the box. It works fine just be sure to make your box so the corners are to the edge of the circle.

  10. Amazing tutorial, I will be attempting this with a bit of shaky hands but a lot of relief with your guide!!

  11. Dixie Redmond says:

    You are awesome!!!! This 1 and 1/3 income family is always looking for things like this to help me improve my home. Now I’m off to buy your book, if I can find it.

    1. Hi Dixie – Thanks so mcuh. XO You can find copies of it still at used online book sellers.

  12. Julia in Woodinville, WA, USA says:

    Diane – I literally found you today via Pinterest. What is so funny is that I kept checking out your book Instant Decorating from the library (years+ ago) and finally photo copied the pages I loved. Here you are, of course, in Blogland. I am tickled to find you and just am smitten with the thought that I knew you all this time. (Like before “blog” was even a word.)

    As before I find your ideas inspiring, yet do able. Thank you!

    Julia

  13. What a terrific idea! I can’t wait to follow instructions to fruition :)
    Heading to lowes ASAP!!! This is my new addiction ;)

  14. I absolutely love your website and wonderful decorating ideas, as the “look” is exactly the one I like and attempt to achieve with my home.

    1. Hi Mary-
      Thanks so much. I have let things evolve over the years and tweak a bit here and there to update. Most of my furniture – 95% is hand me downs. I have only bought a few pieces myself.

  15. Kate @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating says:

    Can’t wait to see the finished product! Thanks for linking Flaunt it Friday! :)

  16. Linda@Coastal Charm says:

    Diane,
    I’m going to save this one to my favs…thanks for sharing it:) Hop over on Monday….I’m going to feature your fireplace screen…please feel free to grab my starfish feature button for your blog…thanks for coming to NTT and I hope to see ya again this week.

    Blessings,
    Linda

  17. this is fantastic Diane! You really have a gift for tutorials. I can’t wait to see the finished result. I’m on my 3rd recover of a favorite ottoman too!
    Thanks for sharing this at Transformations and Treasures!

  18. hi

    Found you on a link party. I am so impressed thanks for sharing love it!

    chickhardware.blogspot.com

  19. This is fabulous!
    Can’t wait to see how you sewed it. I’ve tried it before and it was a complete mess :(
    Take care
    Kristin

  20. TRU @ TRU TALES FEATS says:

    I love this! You have great ideas. Meet your newest follower.

  21. claire rose says:

    Found you through the Funky Junk party- your ottoman inspiration is a beauty-loved the step by step construction directions-can’t wait to see the rest! I’m your newest follower-stop by for a visit!

  22. This is INCREDIBLE! What a neat project. I could see this in my dressing room, well if I had one lol.
    Cheers!
    Sommer

  23. jen @ tatertots and jello says:

    I LOVE this!! Wow – awesome job. And I love that it’s no-sew. So clever!!

    I shared it on my TT&J FB page and stumbled it :)

    xoxox
    Jen

  24. Natalie Cox says:

    This is fantastic! Way to go!

  25. Hi Diane, I love your cat picture! Exactly what my angel kitties would have done! Have you considered making this ottoman with storage? In looking at the construction, it seems it would be a possibility by adding a square board inside that would rest on the 4 corner caster supports, nailed of course. And then adding hinges to the top round piece? Not sure if it would work without actually doing it. Great tutorial!!

    1. Hi Nan-

      I already had this one constructed, but having a place to store stuff is always a cool idea. There really are many options and possibilities to add your own style to the ottoman! Thanks for the idea.

  26. Love it! Love the cat in that one photo as well!! Hehehehe!

    How fun to see your book! I tried to order a copy from a seller on Amazon but it ended up that she didn’t really have it after all. It’s nice to see what it looks like on your blog! :)

    Looking forward to part 2!!

  27. Lucy Designs says:

    Great instructions….It’s going to look great!

  28. This looks like it’s going to be great. I can’t wait to see part two. I have all those supplies in the house already. I am totally going to try this when I find out what to do next. Thanks so much for stopping by and joining my Swing into Spring party.

  29. can’t wait to see the fabric tutorial. come link up at my party!

  30. tammy @ Type A says:

    this is a great idea, can’t wait to see the finish.

  31. Anita @ GoingalittleCoastal says:

    What a great idea and use for those table tops. I think I have 2 in my closet stash! I love the tan one with all those pleats. Can’t wait to see your next step.

  32. I love your projects, Diane! Your instructions and photos are so clear and easy to follow…makes me think even I could manage them! Thanks!

  33. I hope my husband will build me one! This is so cute! I guess you could probably make it bigger if you use a bigger tabletop? I was thinking of using it as a coffee table.

    1. Hi Vicki-

      It can be made to any size. I think at Bed Bath and Beyond they sell bigger round table tops. Lowe’s has round pine table tops also. They are sold where the molding is -about $24 for the largest size.

  34. Christine Aldinger says:

    brilliant!!

  35. Gabriella {sensiblyluxe} says:

    To be honest, I don’t think I can pull this off, but I really admire you for being so DIY.

  36. Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants says:

    I can’t wait to see your tips. My friend had hers in the garbage and I took it out. Here cat left a little present on it and she said she couldn’t get rid of the smell. I am planning on recovering it and replacing the pad and it will be perfect and oh so cheap!