We used a few quick, simple upholstery techniques to add softness and texture to a store-bought bench in our family room. We finished the project just in time for the holidays, and the results made the room feel much cozier.
We found this woven bench at HomeGoods because it was the right size and we loved the woven texture. Once it was in our house, though, the netted weave on the seat felt less than ideal. It wasn’t scratchy, but it gave the sensation of sitting on a series of ropes. At first we threw two leftover sheepskin rugs on top, which helped visually and added softness, but they kept sliding off onto the floor—especially with our wiggly kids using the bench as a TV-watching spot.
After a few weeks of chasing the sheepskins around, we decided to make a more permanent, yet still very simple, solution: upholster a removable seat cover using one of the sheepskins. No professional upholstery skills were required—just basic tools, patience, and a heavy-duty stapler.
Upholstering a Seat Cover
This is a beginner-friendly project that’s fast and effective. It follows the same straightforward approach as many easy home projects: measure, cut, wrap, and staple. Using a sheepskin rug gave us a plush, textured finish without needing to source special upholstery fabric, and because the finished panel is removable it’s easy to clean or replace later.
Step 1: Cut an MDF Base to Size
We bought a sheet of 1/4″ MDF to act as a stable base for the sheepskin. Using a circular saw, we cut it to match the shape of the bench’s seating area, keeping it slightly smaller than the visible edge so the sheepskin could wrap around and add a bit of padding. The MDF gives the bench a flat, even surface to sit on while keeping the finished piece light and removable.
Step 2: Wrap the Sheepskin Around the MDF and Staple
We used a single sheepskin large enough to cover the entire MDF panel. With the fur side facing out, we wrapped the rug tightly around the board and secured it with a heavy-duty stapler, placing staples every 3 to 4 inches to ensure the cover stayed taut. Holding the sheepskin tight while stapling took a little effort, but the process was quick. After stapling all the way around, we trimmed any excess material for a neat edge.
The finished backing looks tidy and solid, and it’s easy to handle because the MDF panel keeps the sheepskin flat and stable when moving it into place.
Step 3: Set the Seat Cover in Place
We simply placed the finished sheepskin-covered board onto the woven bench. The weight and texture of the sheepskin kept it from shifting, so we didn’t need to glue, nail, or screw it down. If you prefer a permanent attachment or have a slick surface, you can secure the panel with adhesive or fasteners—just be cautious to avoid screws or nails that could poke through the top surface.
The whole project took about a dozen minutes from start to finish once we had the materials on hand. That might seem small, but it saved us repeated trips to rearrange the loose sheepskins and keeps the seat looking consistently neat and comfortable.
If you want extra cushioning, add a layer of foam or batting between the MDF and the sheepskin before stapling. We found the sheepskin alone was plush enough for our needs, but standard fabric or thinner rugs will benefit from added padding to keep the seat comfortable.
Update: It’s been over a year and the cover has held up well. The sheepskin may need occasional fluffing, but it hasn’t shifted or stained significantly. Because the board is removable, it’s easy to lift off and vacuum underneath just like a rug.
This project is a fast, low-cost way to upgrade a textured bench into a softer, more comfortable seat that looks intentional and stays put. It works well for rentals or seasonal updates because the panel can be removed without altering the bench itself.