How to Build a Storage Ottoman

Using a circular saw, cut the sections for your storage ottoman from the 3/4 in. 4 x 8 ft. piece of plywood. Cut the 8 ft. 2 x 2 in. board into four 19 in. boards for corner brace supports.  

Measure and cut the plywood using the following dimensions: 

• Two panels 22 x 20.5 in. for the front and back of the ottoman
• Two panels 22 x 22 in. for the sides of ottoman
• One panel 22 x 22 in. for the bottom
• One panel 22 x 22 in. for the lid

Pilot holes or pre-drilled holes make joining the sections of the storage ottoman easier.

• Apply a bead of wood glue in the seams.
• Using the power drill, make pilot holes for the 1 2/2-inch wood screws around all four sides of the ottoman.

After creating the pilot holes, drill in the 1 1/2-inch wood screws in the holes to join the four sides of the panels into a box. Turn the box over and drill in the screws to attach the bottom of the box. 

Apply wood glue to the four corner braces. These will support the areas where the side panels of the ottoman are joined. Place them snug against the inside corners of the ottoman. Let the glue dry so the corner braces are fixed firmly. 

Now that the box for your storage ottoman is formed, it is time to create a cushioned lid. Choose upholstery fabric like leather or suede for building a storage ottoman lid that is durable and comfortable and adds to the look of the room. 

• Use a straight edge to assist in cutting enough upholstery fabric to cover the lid. Leave about 2 to 3 inches of fabric to hang over the edges.
• Cut a piece of poly foam and insert between the fabric and the lid.
• Staple the fabric to the lid. Add more poly foam to your liking before finishing stapling of the fabric.

Choose a fabric for building a storage ottoman that looks good and stands up to everyday wear and tear. Cotton is durable, affordable and easy to clean. Linen is stronger than cotton and resists dirt and stains well. 

• Fold the edges of the fabric like you’re wrapping a Christmas present.
• Fold the fabric over the edges of the box to take up the slack for a clean look.
• Stretch the fabric over the bottom of the boxes and staple.
• Continue to fold over the excess fabric to keep everything as flat as possible.

Attach the piano hinge to the bottom of the fabric-covered lid and the rear panel of the ottoman frame. The round part, or knuckle, should extend from the back of the ottoman to make the lid close flat. 

The heavy-duty anti-skid pads are designed to keep your ottoman in place. Position the anti-skid pads properly to make sure the screws go into the corner support braces and screw them in with the power drill. 

The last step is to attach the fabric to the storage ottoman. Using a hammer, tap in upholstery tacks to gather and secure any excess fabric. Make sure to align the tacks to the bottom of the ottoman for a uniform look.