You may remember Kara from Kara Paslay Designs after the popular house-crashing tour she shared. When she sent photos of a gorgeous DIY tufted ottoman, we invited her to provide an exclusive tutorial. Luckily she agreed, so here is Kara’s clear, step-by-step guide to creating your own tufted ottoman.
Hello Young House Love readers — I’m excited to walk you through how Tim and I built and upholstered this tufted ottoman. This project is approachable, budget-friendly, and a great way to reuse materials you already have on hand. Follow these steps to create a comfortable, stylish ottoman that doubles as a coffee table.
Step 1 – Prepare the Top
Start with a wood or MDF panel cut to the size you want for your coffee-table ottoman. If you’re reusing an existing coffee table top, even better — that will save money. If building a new top, use 3/4″ plywood or MDF to avoid sagging. Mark the locations for your tufting buttons (six, eight, or any layout you prefer) and pre-drill small holes through the wood. Apply contact cement to the top and adhere a 2″ foam layer cut to the same dimensions; this foam is available at most craft and fabric stores.
Step 2 – Add Batting
Cover the foam with extra-loft batting for a smooth, plush surface. Pull the batting tight and staple it to the underside of the wood top, trimming any excess for a neat edge.
Step 3 – Upholster with Fabric
Lay your chosen fabric over the batting. If the fabric has a pattern, align it carefully before securing. For square or rectangular tops, start by stapling the middle of one side, then stretch the fabric tightly and staple the opposite side. Repeat with the remaining two sides. Keep even tension while pulling the fabric so the surface looks smooth and professional without lumps or wrinkles.
Step 4 – Finish the Corners
Neatly fold and secure the corners, pulling one flap across and stapling, then smoothing and stapling the remaining flaps. Take care to eliminate any puckers or bumps so the corners sit flat and crisp.
Step 5 – Prepare Your Tufting Buttons
Purchase button cover kits from a craft store and follow the kit’s instructions to cover the buttons in your chosen fabric. Properly covered buttons will blend seamlessly with your upholstery.
Step 6 – Thread Your Needle
Use a heavy, strong thread and a large upholstery needle. Do not cut the thread; you want a continuous length for each tuft.
Step 7 – Make the Tufting Holes
Push the needle and thread from the back of the panel through one of the pre-drilled holes to the front. You may need pliers to pull the needle through the foam and batting, especially if the foam is thick.
Step 8 – Attach the Button
String the covered button onto the thread at the top of the ottoman, then push the needle back down through the same hole toward the underside. It might take a few attempts to locate the hole; be patient and work carefully.
Step 9 – Secure the Tuft
On the underside, thread a washer onto the ends of the thread and tie a secure knot using both ends. Have someone press the button from the top while you tighten the knot so the depth of each tuft is consistent across the surface. Repeat for every tuft location.
When complete, your tufted top will have a neat, tailored appearance similar to a headboard. If you wanted a headboard, you could stop here, but we continued to build a sturdy base to create an ottoman.
Step 10 – Build the Base
For the base we used reclaimed 2×2 lumber salvaged during our renovation to give the piece character and keep costs down. We cut the 2x2s to the following sizes: six pieces at 12″ for support, three pieces at 19″, and four pieces at 22″ for the frame. These pieces form a solid, geometric base that supports the upholstered top.
Step 11 – Assemble the Base
Assemble the base using construction adhesive and finish nails, or screws if you prefer greater mechanical strength. We used adhesive plus finish nails to hold pieces in place while the glue cured. If you have a pocket-hole jig, that would also work well for strong, hidden joints.
Step 12 – Attach the Top to the Base
Apply adhesive to the top of the base and set the upholstered top in place. Toe-nail finish nails at a diagonal through the underside of the top into the base to fasten everything securely. If using screws, pre-drill to prevent splitting.
Once assembled, the ottoman becomes a centerpiece for the living room: durable, functional, and distinctly personal thanks to the reclaimed materials. Our finished piece cost roughly $32 to build because we reused existing materials and found the rest on sale.
Budget Example
- Reused coffee table top – free
- 2″ foam – approximately $27 (with coupon)
- Contact cement – already owned
- Fabric (scrap) – free
- Tufting buttons – about $5
- Reclaimed wood for base – free
- Total estimated cost: $32
Even if you don’t have reclaimed lumber or a leftover table, you can adapt this project by upholstering an existing coffee table, using thrifted fabric or curtains, and sourcing scrap wood from local salvage yards or reuse centers. This ottoman is a practical weekend project that yields a custom, high-end look at a fraction of the cost.
Thanks to Kara and Tim for sharing their photos and step-by-step instructions. If you give this DIY tufted ottoman a try, you’ll have a handmade, functional piece with real character and a modest budget.