Before I began reupholstering my couches I knew I wanted an ottoman. The problem is in the stores they are so expensive. I knew that I could make my own for a fraction of the cost. I will provide a tutorial of what I did and what I would change if I were to do it again.

Pallet Ottoman

Supplies:

  • Pallet
  • 3″ or 4″ Firm Foam
  • Batting
  • Fabric
  • Staples Gun/Staples
  • Protective Glasses
  • Pins
  • Thread
  • Sewing Machine

Step 1: Finding a Pallet

One Saturday morning, I sent my husband, Kevin, on a hunt with the boys to find me a pallet in good condition. He wasn’t able to find one, but a business told him where the business who makes the pallets was located. Luckily it is only 1.5 miles from our home. He went in to the pallet business; They made him a new pallet the custom size I wanted (30″ x 36″) for only $6. Who would have thought? So my recommendation isn’t to go find some nasty used pallet for free. Just find the pallet making place closest to you and get a new custom made pallet for less than $10.

Step 2: Prep Pallet

Kevin bought this hardware from Home Depot and attached it to the edges of all four corners on the bottom of the pallet. Note: Make sure to bump the hardware right to the edge, this will make it so your ottoman legs are visible once it is finished.

Pallet Ottoman

You will notice that on the bottom of the pallet you need to place wood in the spaces of the edge and middle boards. I labeled mine so that I knew right where they had to go after they were cut (Ex: Left top, left bottom, right top, right bottom). If you don’t, you will see a funny dip where you don’t have a level bottom. You will see in the picture below that I placed some white foam, just for a visual, in the place where you need to put the board. Note: Don’t put foam there only a board.

Pallet OttomanPallet OttomanNow, cover the pallet with batting and place the foam on top. I bought my foam from buyfoam.com. I ordered the 4″ firm foam. I think that 3″ firm foam would work just as well. Something I would change if I were to do it again: I would apply 2 more layers of batting to the pallet so that my edges aren’t so hard.

Pallet OttomanStep 3: Fitting Fabric

Lay your fabric with the right side against the foam. Pin all four corners so the the fabric is fitted around the foam.

Pallet Ottoman

Draw a line down the pins with a sewing marker that disappears when water is dabbed on it.

Pallet Ottoman

Take the fabric off of the ottoman and re-arrange pins so that you can sew down the line.
Pallet Ottoman

Sew down the line and then sew another line 1/8″ away from the other stitching. This is just incase the other stitching ever gets a popped seam.

Pallet Ottoman

Now trim the fabric 1/4″ from the second stitch line. Repeat for all four corners.
Pallet Ottoman

Flip fabric right side out and place on ottoman.
Pallet Ottoman

Step 4: Pull Tight

You now can begin stapling the fabric to the bottom of the pallet. Remember you need to pull the fabric taut all around. It will cause the foam to round on the edges; This is exactly what you want to happen

Pallet Ottoman

Step 5: Attach Bottom and Legs

You now can attach the bottom fabric to hide the underside of the ottoman/pallet. I used some scrap canvas that I had laying around the house for this part. Note: {The canvas that I buy is actually a canvas drop cloth from Home Depot. I just buy it in a big piece and cut off pieces when I need it for different projects.} Since you have hardware bumped up to the very edges this is how you need to attach the bottom fabric.

Pallet OttomanPallet Ottoman

Now you can screw in the legs. I wanted the legs to the couches and the ottoman to match so Kevin picked these up at Home Depot for me. The couch legs are 6″ in height and the ottoman are 9″. We spray painted them with a glossy white.

Reupholstery

Step 6: ENJOY!

Pallet Ottoman

Make It and Love It

Reupholstery