How to Make a Small-Cylinder Ottoman

Prop four 1/2-by-2-by-12-inch side boards up on their ends, and set a circular 1/2-by-18-by-18-inch board on top of them to keep them in position. Slide out the side boards right to the edge of the circular board, evenly spaced, so they continue to prop the board up and so the wide, long side of the side boards is flush with the edge of the circular board.

Pre-drill two holes down through the circular board and into each side board, for eight total holes. Attach the circular board to the side boards with 1-inch wood screws. Add in eight more evenly spaced side boards around the edge of the circular board and attach them to the circular board in the same manner.

Flip the assembled boards upside down, and position another circular board of the same dimensions as the first board on top of the side boards. Position the boards so that the outside edges of the side boards are even with the edge of the circular board. Pre-drill two holes down through the circular board and into each side board, for 24 holes in all. Attach the boards together with 1-inch wood screws.

Set the piece of 1-inch foam on top of the circular board, and staple it in place in for evenly spaced positions using the carpentry stapler. Make a 6-inch pile of cotton batting on top of the foam.

Drape the fabric over the top of the ottoman, and stretch it down tightly on all sides. Stretch it underneath the ottoman, twisting it as necessary, and staple the fabric to the base of the ottoman with evenly spaced staples every 4 inches. Remove any excess fabric with scissors.

Drill four evenly spaced holes into the base of the ottoman, each about 2 inches from the edge but not through the fabric if possible. Install short furniture legs in each hole by screwing them in until they are tight with the bottom of the ottoman.