You may remember Kara from Kara Paslay Designs from the popular house-crashing tour she shared earlier. When she sent over photos of a beautiful DIY ottoman she made, we asked her for an exclusive tutorial. She generously agreed, so we’ll hand this post over to Kara to walk you through making your own flattering—and surprisingly achievable—tufted ottoman.
Hello Young House Love readers! I’m excited to share the full process for creating my DIY tufted ottoman. Below are clear, step-by-step instructions so you can recreate this project at home.
Step 1 — Prepare the Top
Cut a piece of wood or MDF to the coffee-table size you want. If you already have a coffee table, you can reuse the top to save money. For a new build, 3/4″ plywood or MDF works well to prevent sagging. Plan where you want your button tufts (six, eight, or more) and pre-drill small holes at those locations. Apply contact cement to the top and adhere a 2″ foam layer cut to the same dimensions. Foam like this is available at craft and upholstery supply stores.
Step 2 — Add Batting
Cover the foam with extra-loft batting and secure it underneath the tabletop with a staple gun. Trim any excess batting so the edges are neat.
Step 3 — Upholster with Fabric
Lay your chosen fabric over the batting. If the fabric has a pattern, make sure it’s aligned before you start stapling. When upholstering a square or rectangle, place a few staples on one side, then move to the opposite side, pull the fabric tight, and staple. Repeat for the remaining sides. This method keeps the fabric taut and prevents unsightly bunching. Keep the fabric tension consistent around the piece for a professional finish.
Step 4 — Finish the Corners
Fold and secure the corners neatly. Start by smoothing the fabric so corners lie flat, then pull one flap across and staple. Fold the remaining flaps toward the opposite side, smooth out any lumps, and staple. Take care to eliminate bumps—smooth corners make a big difference in the final look.
Step 5 — Prepare the Buttons
Purchase upholstery buttons and a button-covering kit from a craft or upholstery supplier. Follow the kit instructions to cover the buttons with your fabric so they match the top.
Step 6 — Thread the Needle
Use a very large upholstery needle and strong thread or heavy twine. Thread the needle and leave the thread uncut so you have enough length to complete the tufting and knotting process.
Step 7 — Bring Needle Through
From the underside of the tabletop, push the needle and thread up through one of the pre-drilled holes, pulling it through to the top surface. Pliers can help if the needle is difficult to pull through the foam and batting.
Step 8 — Attach the Button
Thread the covered button onto the needle and push the needle back down through the same hole. It may take a few attempts to locate the hole from the top; be patient and steady.
Step 9 — Secure the Tuft
On the underside, thread a washer onto the two thread ends to distribute pressure and protect the foam and fabric. Tie the threads securely, having an assistant press the button on the top to control the tuft depth. Make sure each button is pulled to the same depth for a uniform tufted surface.
Repeat this process for every button you planned. Once all buttons are installed and secured, you’ll have a beautifully tufted upholstered surface that could also serve as a headboard if you chose to hang it.
Step 10 — Build the Base
We built a simple wooden base from reclaimed 2×2 lumber removed during our renovation. For our version we cut: six pieces at 12″ long, three pieces at 19″ long, and four pieces at 22″ long. These pieces formed a sturdy frame and legs for the ottoman. Adjust dimensions to suit the size of your tabletop and desired leg height.
Step 11 — Assemble the Frame
Join the cut pieces to form the base. A pocket-hole jig (like a Kreg Jig) works well, but you can also use finish nails and construction adhesive (Liquid Nails) or screws plus adhesive. Clamp pieces while the adhesive sets to ensure tight joints. Once cured, the base will be very solid.
Step 12 — Attach the Top to the Base
Adhere the upholstered top to the base with construction adhesive and secure it with finish nails driven at a slight angle (toe-nailing) or with screws. If using screws, pre-drill to avoid splitting the wood. Make sure the top is centered and flush before fully fastening.
Once assembled, place the ottoman in your living room and enjoy the finished piece. The tufted top is comfortable and visually striking, and the reclaimed wood base adds character and a sense of history.
Budget and Materials
Here’s an example budget from our build to help you plan:
- Top from an old coffee table — free
- 2″ foam — $27 (we used a coupon)
- Contact cement — already owned
- Fabric (scrap) — free
- Tufting buttons — $5
- Reclaimed wood for legs — free
- Total approximate cost: about $32
You can further reduce costs by reupholstering an existing coffee table top, using leftover fabric or curtain panels, and sourcing wood from thrift stores or building-material reStores. With some basic tools and patience, this project delivers a striking, functional piece of furniture at a low cost.
Big thanks to Kara and Tim for sharing photos and a detailed walkthrough of their tufted ottoman build. If you try this tutorial, adapt measurements and materials to suit your needs and enjoy the creative process.