How to Reupholster a Tufted Ottoman
A bench or ottoman at the foot of the bed or in your living room can be both decorative and practical. Over time, though, the fabric on that ottoman may have become grown. It isn't hard to reupholster the ottoman yourself. It will have holes drilled through the frame and depressions in the foam padding where the buttons were attached. Using these as guides will make the job even easier. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pliers
- Fabric
- Batting
- Upholstery thread
- Upholstery needle
- Buttons
- Staple gun
Instructions
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Turn the ottoman over so it is resting upside down. Remove any fabric that covers the bottom of the ottoman by pulling out the pins or staples with pliers. This will expose the staples or pins that hold the upholstery in place.
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2
Remove the staples or pins that hold the upholstery in place with the pliers. Remove the old fabric and batting. Keep the ottoman frame and the foam.
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3
Lay your new fabric out on a flat surface. Spread new batting across the fabric. Lay the foam padding on top of the batting and then set the ottoman frame on top of the foam.
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4
Trim the fabric and batting so that the fabric will fold over the sides of the ottoman with at least one inch of extra fabric along the bottom.
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5
Fold the fabric and batting over the foam and the ottoman frame. Staple the fabric and batting to the bottom of the ottoman with a staple gun. Repeat on the three remaining sides.
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Set the ottoman on its side. Thread an upholstery needle with upholstery thread. Hold a button in place on the top of the ottoman and a second button on the underside of the ottoman. Position the button in one of the depressions in the foam where an old button was. Slide the needle through one of the holes on the bottom button. Press the needle up through the foam and the fabric and through the top button.
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Loop the thread over and through the button hole and slide it back through the depression in the foam padding and the button on the bottom of the bench.
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Tug the thread firmly from the bottom to pull the button into the foam and create the tufting. Knot the thread. Repeat for the remaining buttons.
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Tips & Warnings
If you would like to alter the position of the buttons and tufting, start with a new piece of foam. This will allow you to place the buttons wherever you would like. You may need to drill new holes in the ottoman frame to accommodate the modified button position.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
