How to Measure a Round Ottoman for Upholstery Fabric

Re-cover a round ottoman with decorator upholstery fabric.

A round ottoman can provide extra seating or a comfortable footrest in a living room, bedroom or den. Whether you wish to redecorate a room or just need to re-cover a worn piece of furniture, measure your round ottoman before you buy upholstery fabric. After measuring carefully, you will be ready to choose a fabric and a slipcover style, which will determine how much fabric you require to make the ottoman look new again.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Paper
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Place the end of the tape measure at one top edge of the ottoman and stretch it straight across the widest part of the top of the ottoman to the opposite edge. Repeat the process from another point on the top edge, to ensure accuracy. If the measurements vary, use the widest diameter measurement and add 1 inch for seam allowances; write it down.

2. Measure the height of the ottoman by placing the end of the tape measure at the top edge and stretching the tape measure straight down to the bottom edge of the ottoman where you want the upholstery fabric to end. Add 1 inch to the height measurement for seam allowances and write it down on the paper.

3. Stretch the tape measure around the ottoman one complete time to measure the circumference. Add 1 inch to the circumference measurement for seam allowances and write down the circumference, too.

Tips & Warnings

• J and O Fabrics estimates that re-covering a round ottoman will require about 6 yards of solid fabric or 7 yards of print fabric, because it looks more professional to match the print along seams.

• If you will be adding welting to the edges of the slipcover (fabric-covered cording along edges), purchase 1 additional yard of fabric to enable you to cut narrow bias strips of fabric.

References

• Slipcover Shop: How to Measure your Ottoman

Resources

• J and O Fabrics: Yardage Chart