How to Make a Tufted Cushion Bench Out of an Octagon Side Table

Measure the height of the side table using a measuring tape. Determine if you want the bench lower than the determined height. If so, cut the legs down using a circular saw to the desired height. Sand the cut edges of the legs using medium-grit sandpaper.

Turn the table upside down. Drill holes into the underside of the table using a 1/4-inch drill bit. Space the holes 3 inches apart from one another all over the table’s top to create a hole to tuft the bench.

Cut a piece of 1-inch upholstery foam, using a serrated knife, to the same shape and size as the top of the table. Turn the table upright and spray the top with spray adhesive. Press the foam onto the tabletop and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Cut a piece of fabric using fabric scissors. Make the fabric large enough to wrap around the top of the table, the sides of the foam and under the tabletop with an extra 3 inches to spare on all sides. Place the fabric face down on your work surface. Turn the table over with foam down. Center it on the fabric. Pull the fabric over the sides of the table and around to the underside. Place a staple into the fabric and tabletop to secure it. Start with the center of each of the eight sides of the tabletop, stapling the center down. Once all eight sides have one staple, begin pulling the rest of the fabric around and stapling until it’s all secured.

Thread a long upholstery needle with upholstery thread. Pass the needle through one of the holes on the underside of the table, through the foam and out the fabric on the top. Feed the end of the needle through the back loop on a fabric-covered button. Feed the needle back through the fabric on the top of the table, through the foam and back out the same hole you started in.

Remove the needle from the thread. Place a 1-by-1/4-inch dowel rod against the underside of the table, over the hole with the thread. Tie the thread around the dowel rod so it is held snuggly against the underside of the table. Twist the dowel rod three or four times to pull the button snug against the foam, creating a tufted look. Staple the loose ends of the thread to the table to hold it in place.

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 with more thread, buttons and dowel rods with the remaining holes.