How to Make a Leather-Topped Ottoman

Building the Ottoman

• 1

  Cut all of your wood pieces to size. Cut medium-density fiberboard (MDF) sheets into six squares, each measuring 15 inches by 15 inches. Cut four thick wooden dowels to a length of 13 inches. Cut 16 molding pieces to a length of 13 inches. Use a miter box or a miter saw to miter the edges of the molding.

• 2

  Take one MDF square and set it down on a flat work surface. Apply wood or MDF glue to the bottom of a wooden dowel. Press it into a corner of the MDF square. Turn the square over. Use a nail gun to shoot a nail through the bottom of the MDF into the wooden dowel to further secure it in place. Repeat with the remaining three corners.

• 3

  Apply a thin layer of glue to the edges of another MDF square. Line one edge of the square up with the bottom square from the previous step. Press the edges together so the new side stands up vertically, creating a side of your ottoman box. Repeat with the remaining three sides.

• 4

  Use a nail gun to apply a few nails through the wooden dowels into the corners of the MDF box. Insert the nails from the inside of the box to make the hardware less noticeable.

• 5

  Turn the MDF box so that one side faces up. Take four pieces of molding and arrange them to form a square on the side of the box. Apply wood glue to the back of the molding and press the pieces into place. Repeat on the remaining three sides.

• 6

  Paint the MDF box with latex paint. Paint in long, even strokes working from the top of one side to the bottom. Repeat on the remaining three sides. Allow the paint to dry completely. Touch up if necessary.

Creating the Leather Cushion

• 7

  Spray the remaining MDF board with spray adhesive. Cut a piece of batting about two inches larger than the MDF board on all sides. Wrap the board with the batting. Turn the board over and gently pull the excess batting to the back. Staple the batting in place around the perimeter of the MDF square.

• 8

  Add additional layers of batting until the cushion reaches its desired thickness.

• 9

  Place a self-healing mat on the work surface. Unroll your leather fabric face down on the mat. With a piece of chalk, trace out a square measuring 18 inches by 18 inches. Cut out the square using a rotary cutter.

• 10

  Place the leather over the batting applied in Steps 1 and 2. Wrap the leather around to the back of the MDF square. Secure the MDF in place by stapling the leather material around the perimeter of the square.

• 11

  Screw two hinges into the interior of one side of the box. Set the leather-wrapped MDF in place on the top of the ottoman box. Screw the opposite end of the hinges into the leather-cushioned top of the box. Now the lid will lift open allowing you to store things inside your new ottoman.