How to Make Ottomans

Ottomans are useful and stylish pieces of furniture. They can act as a footrest, an extra seat,or a coffee table. In most cases, the ottomans you find at furniture stores can be very expensive. Luckily, if you are handy you can make an ottoman yourself fairly simply.

Things You'll Need

• One half-sheet or two quarter-sheets of birch or pine plywood
• Two lengths of 3/4-inch ogee molding, 8 feet long each
• Wood glue
• Package of 1-1/2-inch finishing nails
• 120 grit sandpaper
• Package of 2-inch finishing nails
• Package of number 6x1-5/8-inch drywall screws
• Wood filler
• One quart latex paint, semigloss
• Tape rule
• Angle square
• Portable circular saw
• Power miter saw
• Hammer
• Drill and drill bits
• No. 2 Phillips head screwdriver
• Paintbrush
• Nail set

Instructions

1. If you bought quarter-sheets of plywood, they are already the right size for this project. If you bought the half-sheet, you must cut it so you have a piece that is 24-by-48 inches. This will be your platform. Using your circular saw and straight edge, cut three 5-by-48-inch strips from the rest of your plywood and set aside.

2. Use your power miter saw to cut the ogee molding to fit around the platform you cut earlier. Cut the end of the molding at a 45-degree angle to create a mitered edge. Attach the molding to the platform edges using the wood glue and 1-1/2-inch finishing nails. Countersink the nails with your nail set and wipe off any excess wood glue with a damp cloth.

3. Use your miter saw to cut the plywood into 5-inch square pieces. You will need 25. Build the feet for your ottoman by stacking five of these squares. Attach them using wood glue and finishing nails. Their height, once assembled, should be about 3-1/2 inches. Once complete, sand all sides of the feet and set them aside.

4. Place your plywood platform upside down and mark the spots where the feet will be placed. One should be in the center of the platform and the others should be at the corners, about 1-1/2 inches from the edges.

5. Drill several 3/16-inch holes inside each of the outlines you just drew on the platform. Apply glue and set each block in place, pressing firmly on the feet for a minute or two to set in place. Holding each foot in place, drill 1-5/8-inch drywall screws into each foot from the opposite side of the platform to thoroughly secure the block feet.

6. Once all feet are attached, turn the base over and fill in any nail holes on the molding edge with wood filler. Sand rough edges. Paint with two coats of paint and let dry to complete the ottoman. Top with cushions or pillows.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens