How to Reupholster an Ottoman

An ottoman is one of the easiest pieces of furniture to reupholster — it's essentially a padded box, and the process is very similar to recovering a chair seat. Whether you have a simple rectangular storage ottoman or a round tufted cocktail ottoman, this guide will walk you through the process.

What You'll Need

• Upholstery fabric: TinaKim Upholstery Fabric, Linen Type, 1 Yard
• Staple gun: Metabo HPT Narrow Crown Stapler, 18 Gauge
• Upholstery foam: GoTo Foam 2" x 24" x 72" Firm Upholstery Cushion
• Batting: PLANTIONAL Natural Cotton Batting
• Upholstery sewing kit: PLANTIONAL Upholstery Repair Sewing Kit, 47-Piece
• Putty knife: Rerdeim 5-Piece Putty Knife Set
• Screwdriver set: CRAFTSMAN Screwdriver Set, 8-Piece

Step 1: Assess Your Ottoman

Most ottomans fall into two types: those with a removable top (lid) and those where the fabric is stapled directly to the frame. Removable-top ottomans are the easiest — just unscrew the top and recover it like a chair seat. For ottomans with fabric stapled to the frame, you'll need to remove all the old fabric first.

Step 2: Remove the Old Fabric

Use a putty knife to pry out all staples. Remove the old fabric carefully — use it as a pattern for cutting the new fabric. Note how the corners were handled — this is the trickiest part of ottoman reupholstery.

Step 3: Inspect and Replace Foam

If the top foam is compressed or misshapen, cut new GoTo Foam to match. For a firmer ottoman (used as a coffee table), use a higher-density foam. For a softer ottoman (used as a footrest), a medium-density foam is more comfortable.

Step 4: Add Batting

Wrap the foam with cotton batting, pulling it around the sides and stapling underneath. This softens the edges and gives the ottoman a fuller, more polished look.

Step 5: Cut the Fabric

For a rectangular ottoman, cut the upholstery fabric large enough to cover the top and all four sides, with 3–4 inches extra to wrap underneath. For a round ottoman, cut a circle for the top and a long strip for the sides.

Step 6: Staple the Fabric

Start at the center of one side, pull the fabric taut, and staple with the Metabo HPT stapler. Work to the opposite side, then the remaining two sides. At corners, fold the fabric into neat pleats or hospital corners and staple flat. For round ottomans, make small pleats around the circumference to ease the fabric around the curve.

Step 7: Finish the Bottom

Cut a piece of fabric or black cambric slightly smaller than the bottom of the ottoman. Fold the edges under and staple or glue in place to give a clean, finished look to the underside.

Step 8: Reattach Legs

Screw the legs back on. If the legs are worn, this is a great time to paint or replace them for a complete refresh.

Pro Tips

• For a storage ottoman, make sure the lid is still easy to open after reupholstering — don't staple the fabric too close to the hinge area.
• Performance fabrics (stain-resistant, water-resistant) are ideal for ottomans used as coffee tables.
• A tufted ottoman requires a long upholstery needle and button kit — plan the button grid before stapling the fabric.
• Nailhead trim along the bottom edge gives a very polished, professional finish.