I have a mental want list of certain items that I’ve seen at the Round Top antique show or online that are way outside my budget. One of those wants are sheepskin ottomans. They’re just outrageously expensive!! Online they go from $600-$1,095 EACH. I knew I could make some myself that would give me the look I was after for way less. I did it, I love them, and I want to show you how to make your own DIY faux sheepskin ottoman.

What’s great about these cube ottomans is that they work in a number of different locations. Extra seating in the living room, at the foot of the bed, under a console table, or to fill out an awkward space.

Supplies for Making Two Ottomans

• Faux sheepskin or shearling upholstery weight fabric – I used 2 yards of this 60″ wide fabric for two ottomans (see my note about it below)
• Simple cotton or muslin fabric for base layer – I used 3 yards of 44″ wide quilting cotton for two ottomans
• 2″ high density foam – I used 1 yard of this foam for two ottomans
• Batting – I used 6 yards of this 10oz 48″ wide polyester batting for two ottomans (each ottoman used 3 yards that were folded in half for double the thickness)
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Upholstery weight thread
• One 4’x8′ sheet of 1/2″ plywood
• Spray adhesive
• Two 2x2x8 furring strips
• Wood bun feet – I used these bun feet
• Stain for feet – I used Minwax Antique Walnut and Dark Walnut
• Electric Saw
• Electric Screwdriver and screws
• Electric Drill
• Staple gun and staples

How to Built the Base – Double the Instructions for Two Ottomans

Cut the plywood so that you have four side pieces that are 14.5″ x 14.5″ and one top piece that is 15″x15″. You will cut the 2×2 so that you have four 15″ long pieces.

Screw the 2x2s flush with one side of each of the four side pieces. The photo on the right shows that I’ve screwed the 2×2 into place from the plywood side.

Now you are going to sit the side pieces on end and connect your box shape. The pieces will fit together by overlapping at each corner. This will create a box that is 15″ wide on each side.

Now you’ll top it with the 15″x15″ top piece and screw into place at each corner. Your base is finished.

Note:

At this point I wasn’t sure if I wanted to add feet to my ottoman so I didn’t go ahead and drill for them. If you’re planning to add feet to your cube/ottoman, flip your box upside down at this point and drill into the 2x2s the appropriate holes to accommodate your feet. It will be so much easier to have this done now verses later on. I’ll show you how I drilled in for my feet in the order I did it. At the end.

Adding Foam & Batting

This is the part where it’s easy to want to skimp on because it’s not something you’re going to see. But the secret here is that having thick, plush padding is what will make your finished piece look professional. Don’t skimp here!

For the top cushion I used a 2″ thick piece of foam that was cut larger than the top of the box. The foam is 16.5″x16.5″ which will give it a 3/4″ overhang on each side. This is so that when the cushion is squished down over the sides and corners you will not feel the edges of the wood. This won’t be noticed once the other batting and fabric are pulled tight. To easily cut the foam to size you can use a serrated bread knife or an electric carving knife.

Spray the top of your box with a spray adhesive and then place your box upside down on the foam, applying pressure for the adhesive to stick.

For the batting, I doubled it over for added thickness. This is the same method I used when applying batting to my DIY Upholstered Bed. This will give you extra padding on the seat as well as softness to the sides and corners of your ottoman.

Situate your box upside down on the two layers of batting like the photo below. You’re basically going to cut an X shape into the batting. This way when you pull the corners of the batting over the sides of your box you won’t have to deal with the excess batting that will accumulate at the box corners.

Start on one side, wrapping the batting up the side and around the bottom edge. Use a staple gun to attach it to the inside of the box. Now repeat on the opposite side. Work your way around to the other sides. Cut off any excess from the inside bottom.

Sewing Inside Cover & Upholstery

I like to sew a base cover before adding upholstery over batting. This helps pull the foam seat and batting together tightly giving me a smooth surface for the upholstery.

For the inside cover I used some cotton fabric I had on hand. I cut one piece 56″ by 17″ and two pieces that were 20″ by 17″. I used a 1/2′ seam allowance to stitch the pieces all together. Starting first with the red seams in the photo below, followed by the blue seams.

After sewing together turn right side out and slip over your batting. This should be a snug fit pulling all of the foam and batting together for a smooth shape. Pull excess fabric under the bottom and staple into place on the inside.

Now for the upholstery!

Note:

I used 2 yards of 60″ wide faux shearling upholstery fabric to create two ottomans, using 1 yard for each. I should have used 2 1/4 yards of upholstery fabric to give me enough to wrap under the bases when stapling in place. It would have been easier. The fabric I used was ordered online and unfortunately only sold in one yard increments. Since it was a more expensive fabric I didn’t want to order an entire extra yard for a couple of inches. If you can get an extra 1/4 yard of fabric, this will be preferable. Again, this is based on 60″ wide fabric, adjust according to the width of fabric you are using.

Ok! With my size of fabric, for one ottoman, I cut four 17″x18″ side pieces and one 17″x17″ top piece. Again I’m using a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Stitch all four side pieces together to form a tube. Go ahead and slide it over the cube to check the fit. It should be snug. This snug fit will give you a nice finished look. If it’s too loose or too tight you can adjust your seam allowances now.

Remove and sew your top piece in place. Turn right side out and slide into place over the ottoman. Turn it upside down and pull tightly on the fabric. I actually placed my foot inside the box to help apply downward pressure as I pulled against the fabric. Start on one side and staple into place. Then move to the opposite side and repeat. Work your way around all sides leaving the corners.

Adding Feet

If you choose not to add feet to your ottoman you can just staple the corners down underneath and be done. If you plan to add feet it would be helpful to have holes previously drilled. I’ll get to that in a bit. I purchased raw wood bun feet. To get the color I was after I used two colors. One coat Minwax Antique Walnut followed with one coat of the darker color, Minwax Dark Walnut. They were finished with clear satin polyurethane.

Here’s how we’re going to attach them. Use a box cutter or pair of scissors to cut into the cotton fabric that covered the batting, not the upholstery fabric, and expose the wood 2×2. If you haven’t drilled for feet yet, do that now. Mark the center and drill into each of the four corners to hold the feet.

The feet I used came with a small threaded attachment that was screwed into the hole opening. Finally, staple the corner pieces of upholstery down before attaching feet.

That’s it. You’re done. You just built your own piece of furniture and saved a TON of money!!!

Cost Breakdown

• Plywood – $45
• 2×2’s – $6.70
• Bun feet – $50
• Foam – $20.99 on sale
• Batting – $23.94 on sale
• Faux shearling fabric – $129.51 on sale
• Cotton base fabric – $0 had on hand
• Thread – $0 had on hand
• Stain – $0 had on hand

That brings us to $276.14 for two, or $138.07 each. Considering these go for $600-$1,095 EACH, I’m feeling pretty good about this project! What do you think, would you consider making a DIY faux sheepskin ottoman for your home?

Looking for Another Upholstery Project?

Check out my DIY Upholstered Bed I finished last year for our master bedroom, or my daughter’s French Seam Headboard and matching Bedskirt.