Reupholster Ottoman 101

If you have read some of my posts, you now know that I am cheap. Maybe not cheap...thrifty is more like it. I always want to do it the cheap thrifty way, and remodeling the Man Cave is no exception. I have made artwork for about $10 and curtains from sheets. Well, today I'm reupholstering the used-to-be-black ottoman with the extra sheets. This storage ottoman has been with us since we first moved in together, and it is great to have around and still in great condition. (I love storage ottomans!) But, I really wasn't liking the little black box anymore with the gray/blue color scheme.

Here is what the ottoman looked like before the reupholstering:

Needed supplies to reupholster an ottoman - 2 sheets (or 1 sheet if making it the same color), scissors and a staple gun.

First I reupholstered the top. Since it is still in good condition, I left the black material in place and just covered over it - much easier. Lay the sheet remnant face down and align the top with the pattern of the sheet. Staple the sheet into place, making sure to not cover the lip of the lid. Trim excess material and the top is done.

Next up is reupholstering the rest of the ottoman...and this is how I did it. Lay the ottoman on its side with the bottom of it facing you. Remove the screw-in feet. Place the sheet on the ottoman close to the edge and staple into place on the bottom of the ottoman.

Continue stapling the sheet into place all around the other three sides. The ottoman should be wrapped up like a burrito now.  :)  Fold over the edge of the sheet and staple into place to secure. Trim the excess from the bottom of the ottoman and reattach the feet.

The ottoman should be completely covered in the new fabric now. However, we need to secure it to the inside.  Snugly fold over the sheet and staple into place along the inside top rim of the ottoman. Trim the excess material and you are done!

Wanna see what the ottoman stores? Old-school Nintendo games!

Project cost breakdown:
Sheets - $0, already owned
Total      $0

It only took about 10 minutes to recover the ottoman, and zero dollars! The "new" ottoman is a much better fit in the Man Cave compared to the old black box.

Any ottoman reupholstering experience? Or have you ever reupholstered something with sheets?