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Ruth’s upcycled DIY ottoman is a win for her living room

If you have an old foam mattress you no longer need, upcycle it into a delightful DIY ottoman.

I wanted a pouffe for my living room but couldn’t afford to buy one.

And I had an old IKEA foam mattress sitting behind my couch, taking up room.

I was going to dump it when I thought of using it for this project.

It was a win-win. I had my pouffe ottoman and “got rid” of the spare mattress in one project. 

IKEA items used: 

Other materials and tools: 

  • Pallet wood
  • Scrap wood
  • Jigsaw
  • Pruning saw
  • Hammer
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
  • Marker
  • Nails

DIY pallet ottoman instructions:

1. Cut pallet to size with a jigsaw.

pallet wood

Related: Nifty rustic denim ottoman with handy storage

2. Then, cut scrap wood to size and nail to bottom of pallet creating a frame to staple fabric to.

pallet frame
pallet frame

3. Measure top of pallet and cut foam mattress to fit. I used a pruning saw for this as the mattress was very thick. I used a double layer of foam for comfort and sturdiness. 

measuring the foam
double layer of foam

4. Place foam on top of pallet and position bedsheet on top so that there’s enough fabric to go under the pallet. This will be stapled to the bottom and form an under-layer.

DIY ottoman pouf

Draw a rough outline of foam on the sheet and then flip the whole lot –sheet on the floor, mattress on top, pallet on top of mattress. I had help from my cats for this step! 🙂 

DIY ottoman pouf

5. Staple the sheet to one side of the pallet, then pull tight and staple to the opposite side. Do the same for the remaining 2 sides. Tuck in and trim fabric for the corners (this can be a bit tricky!). 

DIY ottoman pouf

Related: Chic cocktail ottoman

DIY ottoman pouf ikea

6. Flip the ottoman over and make sure fabric is tight and even. Now do the same for the fabric you will use as the final covering.

Kristine Mandsberg fabric

I used the stunning pink fabric with hands and birds by Kristine Mandsberg, which I got in IKEA several years ago. I had been using it as a backdrop to my bed but changed my decor and it sat in the cupboard for years before being used for this ottoman.

DIY ottoman pouf ikea
DIY ottoman pouf ikea

7. The final step which I have yet to do is to find and attach feet to the ottoman, however it functions perfectly without them. 

DIY ottoman pouf ikea with Kristine Mandsberg fabric for IKEA
How long and how much did it cost? 

About 8 hours total and cost €5 for the staples! I had everything else at home.

What do you like most about the DIY ottoman? 

The fabric I used is like a piece of art and the ottoman is sturdy and comfortable enough to be used as extra seating.

What was the hardest part about this hack? 

Folding the fabric for the corners!

DIY ottoman pouf ikea with Kristine Mandsberg fabric for IKEA
What to pay special attention to? 

Corners!

I’m delighted with how it turned out. And I’ve received lots of lovely compliments and a request to make some for others! 

~ by Ruth O’Sullivan 

The post Ruth’s upcycled DIY ottoman is a win for her living room appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

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